OXFORD BUS COMPANY, CAROUSEL BUSES AND HEATHROW ANNOUNCE SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL BOOST TO AIRPORT CONNECTIVITY

Oxford Bus Company today announced a new Airline service X50 providing further improved connectivity between Heathrow Airport and major towns.

The new luxury coach service will provide significant additional links to Heathrow for workers and passengers in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Launching on March 29^th the X50 service will primarily connect High Wycombe, Maidenhead and Heathrow.

Combined with Carousel Buses’ recently launched 102 Chiltern Hundreds service it will provide a half hourly service between High Wycombe and Heathrow, via two different routes. Also from March 29^th, Carousel will be making further improvements to the 102 service to deliver additional late night and early morning journeys between High Wycombe and Heathrow via Beaconsfield.

Both the X50 and 102 services were made possible thanks to financial support from Heathrow Airport, which is working to encourage even more people to travel to the airport via sustainable modes.

The X50 service creates a new fast and direct connection between High Wycombe and Maidenhead. It also provides rail-air links to Heathrow from towns on the Chiltern Line including Bicester and Banbury in Oxfordshire and Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, by connecting at High Wycombe Rail Station. While the Handy Cross Park & Ride in High Wycombe provides a convenient boarding point for residents in nearby areas including Marlow and Stokenchurch, as well as for businesses in the important nearby Cressex and Globe business parks

Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company and Carousel Buses Managing Director, said: “This is further fantastic news for airport workers and passengers living in the Chilterns and surrounding areas. It is a major step forward in our strategy to improve connectivity to Heathrow and make bus travel more accessible and convenient.

“This demonstrates what can be achieved by bus operators when external funding support is provided by key stakeholders. We look forward to fully launching the X50 service and providing this vital service to passengers.”

Matthew Wooll, Bus Strategy Manager at Heathrow Airport, said: “We are delighted to work with Oxford Bus Company and Carousel Buses’ to strengthen our public transport network around Heathrow. This service will make it easier for our passengers and colleagues to get to the airport and will take more cars off the road, reducing emissions and congestion in line with our sustainability goals.”

Mark Shaw, Buckinghamshire County Council Deputy Leader and Transport Cabinet Member, said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to play a role in brokering this excellent enhancement in transport to and from Heathrow. Full marks to Oxford Bus Company and Heathrow for providing a great link for our residents in south Buckinghamshire.”

The news comes after Carousel Buses reinstated the link from High Wycombe to Heathrow via the introduction of the improved 102 service in December. It connects High Wycombe, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross and Uxbridge to the airport via luxury coaches.

Both services will be operated with ultra-low emission luxury coaches with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, USB charging and underfloor luggage space. Workers will be able to use the Heathrow Travelcard to access the service. Customers will also be able to use contactless payments on the vehicles, plus great value multi-journey and period pass season tickets via the Oxford Bus Company and Carousel Buses apps and Key Card schemes.

Oxford Bus Company provides extensive bus routes in Oxford City and Abingdon, luxury coach services to Heathrow and Gatwick, the BROOKESBus service, in partnership with Oxford Brookes University, the prestigious park&ride service which connects five car parks to the city and innovative PickMeUp passenger demand responsive service in the eastern-arc of the city.

Last year Carousel Buses reports strong passenger growth on the Chiltern Hundreds network of services, with more than 850,000 passengers carried in the last calendar year, representing a 20% increase.

Carousel Buses employs around 80 people and operates around 45 buses in High Wycombe and the wider Buckinghamshire area. It also serves locations including Hemel Hempstead and Watford in Hertfordshire and Uxbridge and Thame in Oxfordshire.