Road, Rail & Access

[Aviador]

New low cost taxi service for Edinburgh Airport

An new new fixed-price taxi service has been launched at Edinburgh Airport, offering a low cost link for travellers in both Edinburgh city centre and its outlying areas to the hub.

The new service, provided by Onward Travel, was launched yesterday and offers travel between Edinburgh city centre and the airport for £12 for a taxi carrying between one and five passengers, or £18 for between six and eight people, saving around a third on the usual taxi fare.

Passengers travelling to or from the airport from less central areas of Edinburgh will be able to do so for £15 for up to five passengers, with a larger vehicle carrying up to eight available for £21.

The company's vehicles will also carry passengers further, based on an alternative fare structure, with bookings for its services available from its dedicated desk in Edinburgh Airport's domestic arrivals hall or via www.onwardtravel.com.

The new service uses black taxis and private hire estate cars and people carriers, not mini-buses or coaches, and passengers have exclusive use of the vehicles. Drivers are all licensed and regulated, and have all passed 'the Knowledge'.

Launching the new service, Allan Napier from Onward Travel said: 'Our new service offers fast, low cost, fixed price, door-to-door travel to and from Edinburgh Airport, in private, comfortable and reliable vehicles from an established and trusted taxi company. We are certain that, when travellers learn about our new service, it will fast become Edinburgh Airport’s premier taxi service.'

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[Aviador]

Tram chiefs consider plan to shelve key part of line

TRANSPORT chiefs are considering dropping work on a major part of the tram route while a dispute with contractors continues.

One option under consideration is to press ahead with opening the Haymarket to Edinburgh Airport section – leaving the rest of the route, including Leith Walk and Princes Street, to be completed at a later date.

It has also emerged that if reconciliation talks with contractor Bilfinger Berger fail, city leaders are considering bringing the management of installing the tram track and overhead wires in-house.

Another option would be for Siemens – which is part of the tram building consortium, along with Bilfinger Berger and tram maker CAF – to take over Bilfinger's role.

The Evening News has learnt that the cost of the work disputed by Bilfinger is in fact closer to £20 million rather than upwards of £80m as was first claimed.

The ongoing row over work due to take place on Princes Street and delays to the project of up to 16 months have combined to force tram bosses to consider what can be achieved in the quickest time.

Although the tram line is currently costed at £512m, city leaders have an overall funding pot, including contingencies, of £545m.

The airport to Haymarket stretch is the most straightforward part of the 16km route because it is mainly off-road.

It will also include the tram deport, which is due to open at Gogar early next year.

City transport leader Phil Wheeler today said it was too soon to talk about changes to the scheme.

But a source close to the scheme said: "Although high- profile, Princes Street is only a short part of the route and it might make sense to concentrate on the more manageable sections first, with the rest to follow.

"There are a number of options open to TIE but the breakdown in the relationship with Bilfinger Berger will be very difficult to address."

The prospect of the council taking on a more hands-on role in the project has already been raised by the city's transport leader Phil Wheeler.

The Evening News revealed yesterday how Councillor Wheeler told a trade magazine last year that he felt TIE had been given a "freer hand than hindsight has proved appropriate".

Speaking today, Cllr Wheeler said: "There are no serious discussions about any variations, even though I know there has been press speculation.

"It is too soon to talk about any changes. Discussions are ongoing and until they are resolved, I cannot comment any further."

Around £200m has so far been spent on the project, with TIE boss David Mackay admitting that it was "inevitable" the project would go over budget.

It has been estimated that the total cost of cancelling the project and winding up contracts could amount to a further £100m.

Talks with Bilfinger Berger are expected to resume today despite Mr Mackay expressing hopes last weekend that the dispute would be sorted within days.

The German firm has blamed delays in utility diversion works from preventing it starting work to lay tracks in the street.

A spokesman for TIE said that the matter could not be discussed due to commercial and contractual responsibilities.

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[News Guru]

[textarea]Edinburgh Airport plans £1 drop off fee

Edinburgh Airport has been accused of cashing in on motorists after it emerged they plan to charge drivers £1 for dropping off passengers, the Evening News reports. Airport operator BAA is reported to be proposing to charge both taxi drivers and the general public £1 every time they drop off at the terminal as part of measures to revamp the airport's forecourt.

The move has been described as ‘outrageous’ by city cabbies, while motoring organisation the RAC said it ran the risk of ‘irritating’ paying customers. Edinburgh is said to be one of the first airports to look at charging for drop-off, although Glasgow is understood to be considering similar proposals.

A spokesman for the airport told the newspaper that it would retain a free drop-off area, but that this is likely to be further away from the terminal, possibly in one of the existing car parks. It looks like those who want the convenience of dropping of close to the terminal will be forced to pay for it.

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[Aviador]

Airports throughout the UK seem to by testing the water to see how far they can go with parking and drop off charges. I know that they have to make money somewhere but many people are starting to pick-up and drop-off on public roads around airports. It is a cause for concern because many roads around airports are not designed to be used as pick-up or drop-off areas and they are becoming dangerous. If airports continue to raise the pick-up and drop-off charges more and more people will use the public roads around the airports.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

They can play the Green Card by saying this will be a discouragement to punters to go to the airport by car who will then switch to public transport.

I doubt that more than a tiny fraction would but the argument would play well with the government's Green policies.

They will conveniently forget that taxis are a form of public transport.

 

[News Guru]

[textarea]Business leader slams Edinburgh Airport drop off charge

A prominent business leader has hit out over plans to charge motorists for dropping off passengers at Edinburgh Airport, with one industry boss claiming to be ‘appalled’ by the move, the Scotsman reports.

The decision by airport operator BAA to impose the charges from the beginning of October had been backed by the head of Edinburgh's Chamber of Commerce and a CBI Scotland boss, despite sparking fury among motorists and air passengers. Budget airline Ryanair also backed the move, describing the current drop off area as 'a car park'. A free shuttle service will operate from near the Edinburgh Airport Hilton hotel for those who do not want to pay.

However, another member of the capital's chamber of commerce has added his name to 900-signature petition against the charge. Douglas Logan, a former chairman of the tourism policy group of the chamber, posted a comment on the online petition that said the charges should be ‘abandoned’ and compared the policy to those of budget airlines such as Ryanair, which is considering a £1 charge to use plane toilets.

Mr Logan, who is still an active chamber member and a former tour operating company boss, told the newspaper: ‘It's yet another charge and the airport is getting like these budget airlines that charge for everything.’

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[News Guru]

[textarea]Edinburgh Airport drop off charge ‘will lead to congestion’

Planned drop-off charges at Edinburgh Airport are likely to cause the congestion they are supposed to eradicate, the Scotsman reports that a tourism body has said. The Midlothian Tourism Forum, which represents almost 40 tourism businesses in the area, made the comments after a meeting last week, attended by council members.

The controversial fee will be introduced in October after the car park has had a £1m upgrade. Motorists dropping off or picking up passengers will be subject to a charge of £1 for the initial ten minutes as they leave the area. The airport claims the charges are required to fund the upgrading and expansion of the terminal drop-off zone and that they will cut congestion and lead to more passengers using public transport.

However, critics of the plan argue the move will disadvantage those with a disability and the elderly, will not improve the current arrangement and the fee is not high enough to discourage drivers. Chairman of the Midlothian forum Quintin Young told the newspaper: ‘The proposals are as likely to cause the congestion which they are designed to eliminate and are equally likely to cost more to administer than they raise in revenue.’

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[News Guru]

[textarea]Council rejects call for new link road to Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh City Council has rejected a fresh call from Edinburgh Airport for a new link road to be built between the M8 and the hub, the Evening News reports. In its draft masterplan, Edinburgh Airport said that the number of passengers who visit the airport and projections for future passenger growth justifies a direct link with Scotland's trunk road network.

Business leaders have also campaigned for the M8 link road for years, saying that it would bring massive benefits for the airport and the city. However, in a formal response to the plans, council chiefs said there is no evidence that an M8 link, likely to cost up to £50 million to build, is needed. They added that a previous review of the transport needs of west Edinburgh indicated that the new road was not required.

The council said: ‘The outcomes of the West Edinburgh Transport Appraisal are based on agreed assumptions, modelling and extensive stakeholder involvement and should therefore be given considerable weight. It concluded there was no justification for a link from the A8 to the M8 at this time.’

A spokesman for BAA told the newspaper: ‘It is not a priority now but it is still on the table and will be considered when passenger numbers grow.’

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[TheLocalYokel]

New Tram Link to EDI

The new tram link between EDI and Edinburgh city centre is due to commence operation in May this year. It should prove to be very popular with passengers.

There are several pages on the Edinburgh City Council website detailing the tram initiative. I've reproduced the first page below. As it's a public information article I can't think there will be any problem with breach of copyright as I would imagine the local authority is keen to get its message out as widely as possible.

The link to the full article is: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20236/ ... _the_trams

[textarea]About the tram service and project

The tram service

Services for passengers are set to start running by May 2014. Ticketing is being worked on at present with Lothian Buses with an integrated ticketing system being developed. In general, prices will be on the same level as the current bus pricing.

There will be 16 tram stops along the 14km (8.5 miles) route providing passengers with fast and efficient connections between some of the city centre’s most populated residential and commercial areas.

The stops are located (moving west to east) at: Edinburgh International Airport, Ingliston Park & Ride, Gogarburn, Edinburgh Gateway, Gyle Centre, Edinburgh Park Central, Edinburgh Park Station, Bankhead, Saughton, Balgreen, Murrayfield Stadium, Haymarket, West End-Princes Street, Princes Street, St Andrew Square (short walk from Waverley Station), York Place. See our route map for more detail.

The trams serving the route will move quietly and quickly with a top speed of 70kph (43.5mph). Pedestrians and other road users should pay particular attention when crossing the track. Trams will move more slowly in built up areas. The journey time from the Airport to the York Place is approximately 30 minutes.

Tram accessibility

Each Tram can carry a maximum of 250 people with ample space for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The design of the system was developed in consultation with accessibility groups. Tram vehicles are low floored throughout and are accessible for wheelchair users from low, ramped platforms. An area on the trams has been provided for those with visual and mobility disabilities, their friends and any assistance dogs.

Visual and audible passenger information systems are on vehicles and at tram stops.

Edinburgh Airport connection

With ample space for luggage, the trams will offer an excellent option for people travelling to and from the airport. The trams will have priority over other traffic along the route, cutting out congestion and providing a quick and comfortable connection to the city centre.

The tram stop and terminus are located close to the Airport terminal (next to the taxi rank) and will be accessible via a covered walkway.

Ingliston Park and Ride

The trams will offer a quick, congestion-free alternative for commuters. Ingliston Park and Ride is expected to be the busiest pick up point during rush hour and will hopefully encourage more people to use public transport.

Bikes and trams

The transportation of bikes on the tram will be trialled after the first six months of operational service. Folding bikes can be transported from the start of service.

Cycle routes have been provided along parts tram route and cycle parking points are provided at tram stops.

A guide to safely cycling over tram tracks is available in the cycling section.[/textarea]

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Tram access

The new tram line from EDI to Edinburgh city centre has been completed and is due to open for passengers next month.

I was in Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago and noted that the trams were operating through the day and well into the evening to familiarise crews. They were running as if they were already carrying passengers, halting at each tram stop.

I don't know what will happen to the excellent Air Link 100 buses when the trams begin carrying the public.

This Youtube entry gives a tram driver's view of the entire journey from EDI to the city.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjwiNwNpaVU

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Trams

The new tram system between EDI and Edinburgh city centre will carry passengers as from tomorrow (31 May) after over two months of intensive crew familarisation.

 

[Brum X]

Trams

The new tram system between EDI and Edinburgh city centre will carry passengers as from tomorrow (31 May) after over two months of intensive crew familarisation.

Edinburgh tram looks fab, cant wait to travel on it when im next up there.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

My wife and I used the Edinburgh tram to reach EDI yesterday afternoon. We caught the tram at St Andrew Square near Waverley Station at 1635 and reached EDI at 1713. The fare was £5 per person for a single ticket obtainable from machines at the stop but no bank notes accepted.

The double decker Airport 100 shuttle bus from nearby Waverley Bridge Road is fifty pence cheaper, and earlier in the day I noted that services were well patronised.

On past experience the bus took no longer than the tram took yesterday - sometimes a bit quicker. The tram has to negotiate several traffic lights along Princes Street and in the West End before being given dedicated tracks although there are some sharp turns which require very slow passage. Furthermore, the tram route seems to travel further as it goes well to the south of the direct road route.

Admittedly this was my first and a single experience of the tram but on this evidence I remain to be convinced that it is a better option than the bus; it also cost not far short of one billion quid to build. Judging by the number of passengers on the airport bus others seem to agree. The tram also finishes about 150 yards from the terminal entrance whereas the bus stops right outside.

 

[Aviador]

When we visited Edinburgh, we tried both the tram and the buses as we were staying close to the airport. We got off the tram the stop before the airport which cost £1.50 as opposed to £5 to the next stop at the airport. We found both the tram and buses a pleasurable experience but we didn't think we saved any time as such by using the tram. I think it's a case of Edinburgh trying to live up to it's "capital" status rather than them actually needing a supertram.

View media item 2670Edinburgh Supertram and airport link by Aviador hosted on Forums4airports.com

View media item 2673Edinburgh Supertram and airport link by Aviador hosted on Forums4airports.com

View media item 2674Edinburgh Supertram and airport link by Aviador hosted on Forums4airports.com

 

[TheLocalYokel]

When we visited Edinburgh, we tried both the tram and the buses as we were staying close to the airport. We got off the tram the stop before the airport which cost £1.50 as opposed to £5 to the next stop at the airport. We found both the tram and buses a pleasurable experience but we didn't think we saved any time as such by using the tram. I think it's a case of Edinburgh trying to live up to it's "capital" status rather than them actually needing a supertram.

There might be something in that. Some years ago Bristol lost its tram funding from central government because the two main councils that make up the conurbation (Bristol and South Gloucestershire) could not agree where the northern terminus should be situated.

Lots of people wrote or posted to the local press saying they would never use a bus but would use a tram. I could never understand that - perhaps there is an element of unconscious snobbery.

Having said that, I found the Manchester trams very convenient.

 

[rmac]

Local news reports show that the Edinburgh tram is attracting record numbers, customer satisfaction is very high, revenues are above expectations and a 6 week trial begins with trams starting earlier in the morning for the benefit of those catching early flights. I thought that the Airlink 100 bus service would be reduced when the trams started but not so and every time I have used the 100 bus it has been pretty full. The new extension for the terminal was to bring the tram nearer to the airport main entrance but I am not sure if this has opened yet. I used the airport last month but entered by the usual way, ie from the multi- storey car park/drop off zone. Also we had been told that new security procedure was slow however, even at 8:15am we sailed through ultra fast!

 

[SR1]

Hi, I am a student at Glasgow Caledonian University conducting a study into how people travel to/from Edinburgh Airport and their opinions about the tramline, if you could fill in my survey I would really appreciate it.

https://www.quicksurveys.com/s/i8P3YbN

Thank you

 

[jfy1999]

‘Game-changing’ fleet of coaches to boost Glasgow link to Edinburgh Airport

Ailing Glasgow Airport has suffered another potential blow to the benefit of rival Edinburgh with the launch of a new “game-changing” £2 million fleet of coaches to whisk passengers there from the centre of Glasgow.

www.scotsman.com