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Commuters to benefit from UK's first commercial "phone and go" Taxibus service

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19/08/2003

Stressed-out commuters travelling on the congested route between Fife and Edinburgh can now benefit from a new “phone and go” Yellow Taxibus service - the first of its kind in the UK.

Scottish Transport Minister Nicol Stephen today launched the innovative service, which has been developed by Perth-based international transport group Stagecoach.

Yellow Taxibus combines the benefits of a fixed bus route with the flexibility of pre-booked taxi pick-ups. A fleet of 13 eight-seater spacious, upmarket Mercedes Vito people carrier vehicles will offer a high-frequency service between Dunfermline and the Scottish capital seven days a week.

Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, said: “The new Yellow Taxibus service is a real first for Scotland and the UK. It will offer a fast, frequent, flexible and convenient service.

“If you’re a commuter going to work, a pensioner going shopping or a family having a day out, you can just phone and go. We can pick up customers as quickly as 10 minutes after getting their call and take them from their door straight to Princes Street in the heart of Edinburgh.

“We believe it will prove to be an attractive alternative to our existing bus services. It offers something for everyone, particularly commuters who have to battle the traffic jams into and out of Edinburgh every day.”

Yellow Taxibus, which uses distinctively branded vehicles, is the first service of its kind in the UK run on commercial lines, with other similar schemes relying on significant taxpayer support to make them viable.

The economic boom in Edinburgh and the related high cost of property has resulted in many people buying homes in the commuter belt north of the Forth in Fife. Yellow Taxibus will open up new travel opportunities for residents in the rapidly expanding eastern area of Dunfermline not currently served by public transport.

It will operate up to 21 hours a day, with services running between 6am and 3am Monday to Friday, plus extensive availability at the weekends. Services will run every 10 minutes at peak times, offering travellers a real alternative to the daily commute on one of Scotland’s most congested routes.

The new service will link into and complement the Ferrytoll Park and Ride service and take will take advantage of extensive bus lanes on the route into Edinburgh.

Fares will vary according to the number of people travelling and will start from as little as £2.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs, Stagecoach Group, tel 01738 442111

Note to Editors:

  • Yellow Taxibus uses Mercedes Vito vehicles equipped with a power door and table for added convenience.


  • Fife Ferrytoll is still achieving annual passenger growth of 30%, more than two years after the £4.2million park and ride service was launched. Hundreds of commuters use the service every day to cross the Forth into Edinburgh, with services operating every five minutes during peak periods.


  • Ferrytoll, a partnership between Stagecoach and Fife Council, has won a number of accolades, including the infrastructure award at the Bus Industry Awards in 2001. It is due to double in size to 1,000 car parking spaces as a result of funding from the Scottish Executive.
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