A popular Leicestershire bus route has benefited from an ultra-low emission fleet serving East Midlands Airport in a £2.1m investment.
The first of Skylink's 12 spacious new British-built buses are now on the road providing a vital link connecting Leicester with Derby and East Midlands Airport. It remained a popular route throughout the coronavirus lockdown.
The 24 hours a day, seven days a week Skylink provides a convenient way for travellers to get to their flights and home again, plus helps workers commute to the growing number of employers at and around the airport.
East Midlands Airport and the businesses in the East Midlands Enterprise Gateway (EMEG) area already employ 10,000 people, with a potential 20,000 new jobs to be created in the next 20 years.
Each of the new Alexander Dennis Enviro200 buses exceeds the latest Euro VI emissions standard and emits less nitrogen dioxide than a new car. They also use green stop-start technology to further reduce emissions.
They feature a smoother ride, glazed skylights, LED lighting, plus free superfast WiFi and USB power at every seat. Visual and audio next-stop announcements are also being introduced.
Kinchbus, the Loughborough operator of Skylink, is also introducing newly refurbished Optare Versa buses to its town centre Kinchbus 11 and 12 routes as part of a sustained drive to improve reliability and punctuality.
Jeff Counsell, managing director at Kinchbus, said: “The new skylink buses will help us get people to and from work on time, at any time and help air passengers arrive in style for their flights.
“The arrival of the fantastic new buses to skylink and the newly revamped buses to Kinchbus 11 and 12 shows our commitment to constantly improving our customer experience in terms of the onboard quality and journey time.
“All our buses are COVID-secure with all the creature comforts to keep customers connected and comfortable. We look forward to welcoming everyone onboard.”
Skylink Derby links Leicester and Birstall with Loughborough, Hathern, Kegworth, East Midlands Airport and beyond to Castle Donington, Alvaston and Derby. skylink Derby runs every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sundays.
