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Bus Links Improve at Cardiff International
09 November 2004
Public Transport links to Cardiff International Airport are set to improve with the introduction of the Cardiff Bus' newly enhanced Airbus Xpress Service between the Airport and Cardiff City Centre.
The news was welcomed by Andrew Davies, Minister for Economic
Development and Transport, "a dynamic and successful international
airport is essential to both the economic prosperity of Wales and
Cardiff's success as a European City. At the heart of this success
lies effective transport links, and our commitment to developing an
efficient and integrated transport infrastructure for Wales."
Meeting today with Steve Pantak, Chairman, Cardiff Bus; David
Brown, Managing Director, Cardiff Bus; Jon Horne, Managing
Director, Cardiff International Airport and Peter Strachan,
Managing Director, Arriva Trains Wales the Minister learnt how
local transport operators have begun working in partnership in
order to make public transport services to the airport more
efficient than ever.
As part of the integration process, Cardiff Bus have invested
£600,000 on bespoke buses which have been individually livered with
low floor easy access, additional luggage space, CCTV, double
glazed windows, GPS and two way radio all fitted as standard. The
non-stop services have more than doubled Monday to Friday.
The route has also been extended to incorporate major city centre
hotels demonstrating Cardiff Bus's commitment to capturing the
all-important business and tourist market. Cardiff Airport has, in
turn assisted with ticket sales, marketing and a new bus stop
facility will shortly be in place with further enhancements planned
in the future.
Looking to the future Arriva Trains Wales have demonstrated their
willingness to adopt an integrated ticketing policy, offering a
choice to passengers between rail and bus links. When the new rail
services to the airport come on stream in April, Cardiff Bus and
Arriva are planning to co ordinate timetables, allowing passengers
a greater choice of services, every 20 minutes to and from Cardiff
City Centre.
Andrew Davies said, "this is an excellent example of an effective
partnership approach between Cardiff Bus and Arriva Trains Wales
which will result in an improved and co-ordinated passenger service
and provide increased customer choice."
Cardiff Bus, Chairman, Steve Pantak added: " This further
development of our airport service has been made possible through
partnership working and the vision of key individuals at the
Airport, Arriva Trains Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government as
well as at Cardiff Bus
It is through initiatives such as this that transport providers can
add 'real' value to the economic growth of the region and allow it
to flourish.
As Cardiff gears itself up for an influx of visitors next year to
celebrate its Centenary it is crucial that transport solutions are
functioning efficiently and to their maximum potential".
Editors Notes:
The Airbus Xpress operates 7 days a week. Half hourly Monday to
Friday daytime and hourly on a Saturday and Sunday.
The enhancements have included the Monday to Friday non-stop
services being increased by more than double, non-stop services
introduced on a Saturday and the existing services on a Sunday have
been converted to non-stop.
The extended City Centre service will pick up and drop off at or
near to the Central Bus Station, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Jurys
Cardiff Hotel, The Big Sleep Hotel, Ibis Hotel City Centre, Thistle
Hotel Cardiff, Hilton Cardiff, Holiday Inn Cardiff City, Angel
Hotel Cardiff, Central Bus Station.
Fares:Adult Single £4.00, Adult Period Return £7.00, Child Single
£3.00, Child Period Return £5.00
The new buses are the Enviro 300, twelve metre model. The central
walkway is the widest of any single deck bus on the road and the
vehicles meet the latest Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and
Environmental legislation, meaning they are quieter, cleaner and
more fuel efficient.
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