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Bright Bus Airport Express service
- Thread starter roadierway77
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voidwxrranty
Member
8951. it usually is.
Vectron383
Member
Just seen the Bright bus E400 on AirPort Express duties, with a section above the doors proclaiming to be ‘Scotland’s official tour and airport connection’. I assume this is just marketing wibble?
It says that on their website too, but there appears to be no qualification or reference to who said it.
I think it's self anointed on the anticipation that no one will come along and tell them they can't say it and if it fools 1 person it'll pay for the vinyls.
You'd have to try really hard to convince me it's not at least slightly unscrupulous...
Vectron383
Member
Commuting daily to the airport for work does give me a good insight into the main differences between the 2 services. That being said, while local buses are closer to me the 200(soon to be 18) is also within walking distance so it’s pretty rare for me to use the Bright Bus option. The (seemingly) poor reliability of the E300s as well as their general age and condition is noticeable to me if not any more of the eagle eyed passengers and while the loads are starting to even out I still see plenty of buses carrying air.
More concerning as far as branding is concerned, is the (at least daily) substitutions for Midland Bluebird branded streetlites… while most won’t be bothered by this is it is another sign that they are struggling for vehicles. And when business picks up again in the summer, the single regular size luggage rack will surely be inadequate during the morning rush.
It would be very interesting to see their financials on the connection.
More concerning as far as branding is concerned, is the (at least daily) substitutions for Midland Bluebird branded streetlites… while most won’t be bothered by this is it is another sign that they are struggling for vehicles. And when business picks up again in the summer, the single regular size luggage rack will surely be inadequate during the morning rush.
It would be very interesting to see their financials on the connection.
Avenger20
Member
- Joined
- 8 Aug 2011
- Messages
- 208
Can anyone confirm the current price of the Maybury to Edinburgh Airport single?
Last time I used it, it was only £2 which was great but checking Traveline Scotland (only place I could find a fare for this journey) it was showing as doubled to £4 making both the 17/18 and even the 100 cheaper on this section.
Last time I used it, it was only £2 which was great but checking Traveline Scotland (only place I could find a fare for this journey) it was showing as doubled to £4 making both the 17/18 and even the 100 cheaper on this section.
FlybeDash8Q400
Established Member
17/18 will be £2.20 each way. I think this is the cheapest now. I think the cheaper Maybury to Airport return looks like it has been withdrawn due to the 17/18 offering flat fares. The Maybury to City Airlink fare remains but is now £3.50 single.
I've overheard the Bright Bus ticket sellers at Waverley saying it's £2 to the zoo recently, so take that anecdotal evidence as you will.
Avenger20
Member
- Joined
- 8 Aug 2011
- Messages
- 208
I received confirmation from Bright Bus on socials that the fare from Maybury to EDI is £2.00 single which still undercuts the 17/18.
Ideal.
Thanks!
Ideal.
Thanks!
I observed a few departures yesterday afternoon from both operators with Bright Bus having roughly 3 passengers per bus and Airlink having around 10. Perhaps it was a quiet time but I noticed that hardly anyone had any luggage, suggesting they might be local journeys.
Scotrail314209
Established Member
Since Bright Bus is now stopping at Drum Brae city bound, can anyone confirm the fare for this. I understand the X38 has the £1 fare, but does that apply to the AIRX too?
Resuwen
Member
Big Bus Tours liveried vehicle on an Edinburgh tour this morning, ironically with Bright Bus Tours on the destination board
The closed top Boat Tour E400 MMC is on the Britannia Tour too. Normally a negative but probably welcomed in today's somewhat changeable weather.
JKP
Member
I saw this vehicle liveried but without branding in Princes Street last Monday afternoon. Not sure whether it was on a tour or about to.
https://www.bigbustours.com/en/edinburgh/edinburgh-bus-tours The tours have now been added to the Big Bus website as well.
FlybeDash8Q400
Established Member
I would imagine in time the City Tour and Britannia Tour will be dropped in favour of purely the Big Bus style Red and Blue Routes.
Baileygirl
Member
Looks as if it is being started on Thursday as this is the first day you can buy a ticket.
The two tour ticket going up from £20 to £27.16. If you go into the airport ticket it still comes up Bright Bus. Going up from £5 to £7 with no return option.
Last edited:
The airport ticket at £7 on the Big Bus website is the return ticket, there's just no £5 single option.
Stan Drews
Established Member
- Joined
- 5 Jun 2013
- Messages
- 1,875
Yes, Big Bus Tours do indeed launch on Thursday, and as others have already noted the Edinburgh ‘page’ is now live on the Big Bus Tours website. The airport ticket is just an add-on using the existing Bright Bus Airport Express, so that won’t change.
VioletEclipse
Member
This is the wrong thread, however the tours thread seems to be closed so I guess it's the closest?
Anyway, on Thursday are the tours staying with McGill's but being run by Big Bus, or are they moving completely from McGill's to Big Bus?
Anyway, on Thursday are the tours staying with McGill's but being run by Big Bus, or are they moving completely from McGill's to Big Bus?
Dfatcontroller
Member
McGill's operate the Tours as a Big Bus Franchise.
McDonalds don't own the restaurant that you eat in.
A real person owns their own franchise and pays royalties to McDonalds Corp to be a McDonalds restaurant.
Same applies to McGill's with Big Bus. I dare say in a similar, but not exactly the same, format as Flixbus.
No one seems to have a problem understanding that one.
Pretty sure McGills are licensing the brand and operating it. The brightbus website remains but sections of it have been reworded to bigbus. The repainted vehicles are all still owned by McGills
VioletEclipse
Member
thanks!
WibbleWobble
Member
In most cases. They do own some outright.
Stan Drews
Established Member
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The relationship between Big Bus Tours and the McGill’s Group is essentially the same as the one between City Sightseeing and Lothian, and one that is replicated all over the world with local operators in the many cities both these established open top tour brands run.
danielhogg2005
Member
With Bright Bus Tours becoming Big Bus Tours, could they now rebrand the Airport Express to something like "Big Bus Airport Transfer" or something since the Airport Transfer is offered on the Big Bus website?
Stan Drews
Established Member
- Joined
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- 1,875
No, it’s nothing to do with the Big Bus Tour operations, other than being operated out of the same depot - just like FlixBus.
FlybeDash8Q400
Established Member
Must say the fleet certainly looks a lot smarter in the Big Bus guise. Certainly potential to grow with it.
stevenedin
Established Member
I agree. I've also seen some with new maroon seat coverings as well.