BAA Heathrow and bus operator First have saved the 50A/B bus service from being withdrawn…
BAA Heathrow and bus operator First have saved the 50A/B bus service from being withdrawn. The service, which connects Dedworth, Windsor and Datchet to Heathrow Airport, was due to end in March this year due to lack of funding.
Regrettably, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead found it could no longer contribute to the 50A/B operation. The service was therefore going to be withdrawn at the end of its current contract. However, the continued investment from BAA Heathrow and commitment from First will help support running costs for the rest of the year. The longer term future of the route will be reviewed later this year.
Eryl Smith, BAA Heathrow`s planning and development director said: The 50A/B is a really important bus route, and we are delighted that our rescue package has been successful in saving it. We look forward to working with First again, keeping Windsor`s crucial link with the airport open.
Without local authority funding, the 50A/B timetable has had to be revised, focusing on the busiest times of the day. It has therefore not been possible to provide early morning or evening services between Monday and Saturday. Unfortunately, the Sunday service has had to be withdrawn.
During the week, the first bus will arrive at the airport at 0757 and the last one will leave the airport at 1810. On Saturdays this will be 0858 and 1740 respectively. The new timetable will come into operation on 2 April.
Andrew Taylor, First in Berkshire`s commercial director said: First is delighted that BAA Heathrow has been able to maintain its funding and help us to continue serving the growing market for travel between Windsor, Datchet and Heathrow. The partnership between BAA and First has already been extremely successful in improving the quality and frequency of the bus route between Heathrow and Slough. Over the coming nine months we can now work closely with BAA and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to seek ways of developing the Windsor service.
Councillor John Iles, lead member for transport at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, said he would like to express his sincere appreciation of the BAA and First intervention. He added: This means that the residents of Windsor and Datchet will still be able to get to Heathrow to work or to fly. It`s great news.
At times not covered by the 50A/B timetable, passengers in the Windsor area should travel by other First bus services to Slough, where they can continue their journey to Heathrow on the 75/76 bus service. Airport Travelcards are valid on this alternative route.
Airport Saver Tickets are also available on the 50A/B route. Airport Saver Tickets are a flexible and cost-effective way of using public transport and are an ideal option for staff with varied travel patterns such as one-way car sharers and shift workers.
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