669, a Skylink branded Scania leaving Broadmarsh Bus Station, Nottingham. (C) John Whittingham
Up in the air - the end of red flyer?
| 17/10/2012 Background At the start of 2012, the branded "official" skylink route passed from NCT to trent barton. Although the new route still started and finished at the same points, the part in between was very different. The new service is less direct, and although it serves more places, many of these already had a service to the airport (indigo). As a result of the withdrawal of the direct City to Airport service, Premiere buses introduced its red flyer service. It was always questionable whether it would take off, and whether there was enough room in the market for two airport services, especially with NCT enhancing its services to Clifton, a place served on the original NCT skylink service. Although red flyer started as a coach service, the coaches were only branded for a few months before being replaced by buses. Up in the air Red Flyer is due to run until 19th November, although Premiere have launched a campaign to save it, but surely its too late for the service to continue? Or is it? In response trent barton have assured customers that they can still get to the airport on the bus, and are even offering a free ‘trade in’ for people who have bought advance weekly or monthly Red Flyer tickets. The trent barton website states: "Most people using Red Flyer travel from Nottingham, so by switching to skylink they shouldn’t be inconvenienced when the service comes to an end in November"? However it will take them longer to reach their destination, and probably cost them more for the privilege - but you can't expect trent barton to compete with itself. So for now, its up in the air. Premiere buses website trent barton, red flyer article |
669, a Skylink branded Scania leaving Broadmarsh Bus Station, Nottingham. (C) John Whittingham