New in Edinburgh part 2: Bright Bus to the Airport

 As well as the tram extension, 2023 also saw further competition between Edinburgh city centre and Edinburgh airport.  Previously Transport for Edinburgh competed with itself operating a premium prices bus service (route 100) and the [very] premium priced tram. Along comes McGill's Group, having found themselves with soe spare mid-life buses from their expansion in to east Scotland, and added an express airport service to their Bright Bus open top sightseeing operation.  The new express, abbreviated to 'AIRX' on real time mapping functions, is a cheaper service than the competing route 100.  

So, one rainy Sunday in August 2024 I needed to get to Edinburgh airport, so what better time to try the AIRX.

It is nice to see that Waverley Bridge is back open, at least in one direction, allowing direct interchange from the main railway station to airport buses. It is also a central location for the city centre to the north and Royal Mile to the south.

The Lothian Buses route 100 terminates at Waverley Bridge so has at least one bus waiting most of the time.  These Enviro 400XLB buses are very comfortable for the circa half hour trip.

The Bright Bus Airport Express does more of a loop of the city centre: on this occasion it took a 4 minute wait on Waverley Bridge.  Friendly driver sold me a £4.50 single (none of that English £2 maximum fare here!)  Unfortunately I was the only passenger.

The interior of the mid-life Enviro 200 shows it in First Bus corporate colours: McGill's bought their eastern Scotland business from First and this bus was inherited with that purchase.

The coving however is branded with information on both the Airport Express and open top sightseeing operations.  

The bus features a luggage rack which was unusually solidly built.  It is always nice to see a stocked leaflet rack on a bus, and in this case again marketing was carried for both Bright Bus routes as well as another route in to Edinburgh operated by McGill's 'Midland Bluebird' subsidiary.

Upon arrival at the airport a large group were waiting to board this coach on an adjacent stop (or 'stance' as they are known in Scotland).

Fly Dundee is another McGill's brand, operated by another of their eastern Scotland operations, Explore Dundee. Great to see this successful expansion and use of public transport to access the airport.  Other services between the airport and Dundee are operated by Ember (using electric coaches) and Megabus.  Clearly a busy and successful corridor.

Final photo of the Bright Bus Airport Express.