The Scottish Citylink AIR service between Glasgow and Edinburgh Airport is being upgraded with eight new Irizar i6S Efficient integral coaches that will be operated by West Coast Motors.
They represent an investment of £2.5 million and come as the frequency of the route lifts to up to every 20 minutes, a 50% improvement from the previous 30-minute headway.
Each of the new coaches is a tri-axle 53-seater with amenities including drop-down tables and USB charging points. A lift as part of PSVAR compliance is mounted above the drive wheels. To maximise the fuel-saving nature of the i6S Efficient model, a camera monitoring system has been specified in place of rear-view mirrors.
Scottish Citylink began its AIR service in 2013. It is the only direct route between Glasgow and Edinburgh Airport and has seen strong patronage growth, the business says.
Adds Managing Director Simone Walsh: “Our AIR route provides an important service for people arriving at and leaving from Edinburgh Airport who need reliable, affordable and comfortable transport to either help them start their trip or get them home after their travels.
“We continually invest in our services and these high-quality new vehicles and increased frequency are great news for customers. We look forward to welcoming even more passengers onboard over the summer and beyond.”
West Coast Motors Managing Director Colin Craig says that the business is pleased to operate AIR on behalf of Scottish Citylink.
“Our continuous investment in our fleet ensures a comfortable and hassle-free travel experience for customers, reflecting our commitment to providing excellent and reliable transport.”
West Coast Motors was an early customer for the Irizar i6S Efficient integral, with its fleet of the type including a number delivered in the first half of 2023. More were supplied by dealership Irizar UK during 2024 – one of which was the 700th Irizar integral coach to be registered here.
