Skylink News

June 2008

Skylink's been out and about!

Skylink has recently been out and about in the region, promoting the network of services and encouraging more people in the East Midlands to use the cheaper and greener way to travel to the Airport.  We have attended an event in Loughborough and two in Nottingham - all washed out with the rain unfortunately!  Check back soon for dates when we'll be in your area soon!

Skylink short-listed for two transport awards!

East Midlands Airport's bus network 'Skylink' has been short-listed for two awards at the prestigious National Transport Awards 2008.

The East Midlands Airport Bus Partnership, consisting of the Airport, six neighbouring county and city local authorities and four bus operators, has been nominated for the Transport Team/Partnership of the Year Award.  Over 50 submissions were made under this category with seven making the final short-list, including Gatwick and Stansted Airport bus partnerships.

The Skylink project has also been short-listed for the Travel Information and Marketing Award for its strategic approach to boost passenger numbers, which have increased by 44% in the last year.  The project beat over 40 other submissions and is one of eight nominees, including Centro, Stagecoach, National Express and First South.  

Now in its eighth year, the National Transport Awards offer a tremendous opportunity to recognise excellence across the transport industry in the UK and Ireland, rewarding innovation and progress for transport initiatives which are really working.

The awards ceremony will take place on 15 July 2008 when the winners for each category will be announced.  Check back soon for more details!

Save this summer with 50p Airlink travel!


The Coalville Airlink has launched a new 50p 'Summer Saver' travel voucher for passengers travelling to East Midlands Airport in July.  

Residents living in Coalville and the surrounding villages can benefit from the 'Summer Saver' voucher, valid for travel to East Midlands Airport throughout July.  Vouchers will be posted to all residents in Coalville and also to libraries and community centres in the town.

Passengers can make huge savings by using the service for their summer holiday, compared to travelling to the Airport by taxi.  Passengers taking advantage of this great offer can redeem the voucher by simply presenting it to the Airlink driver when boarding.

The Coalville Airlink 155 service operates from 4am to 10pm, 7 days a week and takes just 35 minutes to arrive at the Airport.

Fantastic family fares on skylink!


Families and groups of up to five people can now purchase a £10 family return ticket on ALL Skylink bus services to travel to and from East Midlands Airport.  The ticket allows up to five people, maximum two adults, to travel together to and from the Airport.  This fantastic new fare was introduced on the network of services - Nottingham, Leicester, Derby and Loughborough - to encourage more families to use public transport for their Airport journey.

This is the cheapest ticket for a couple travelling together as children do not have to be travelling with the group.  The ticket can be purchased from the driver when boarding and is valid for one month.  So now there is a ticket that will get you there and back for less, meaning you have more to spend whilst on holiday!

May 2008

Win family day out to celebrate Skylink’s 4^th birthday

April 2008

'Ear this! Skylink Strongman breaks 2 world records in 1 week!Unstoppable Manjit Singh has broken an incredible two world records in one week pulling the Skylink bus!

Manjit first pulled the Loughborough Skylink bus 6.1 metres with his ears in Loughborough on 31 March, cheered on by crowds of onlookers.

He then amazed shoppers in Derby city centre on 5 April by pulling the Skylink bus 14.15 metres with just one hand.

Manjit had been taking part in the launch events for the new 24 hour Skylink buses to East Midlands Airport.

You can see the incredible footage here.


Nottingham Skylink - great group fare!

Passengers travelling between Nottingham and East Midlands Airport are now being offered cheaper fares on Skylink.  

Groups of five people travelling together can now purchase a group/family ticket at the reduced price of just £10 return.  This ticket allows up to two adults and up to three children to travel together.  The ticket previously cost £15 return.

An Adult Return has also reduced to £8 and can be used within one month.

For more information go to the fares page on Nottingham Skylink.

March 2008

2 world records in 1 week?

Strongman Manjit Singh will attempt another world record on Saturday 5 April by pulling the Derby Skylink bus 10 metres using just one hand!  

The stunt, to mark the launch of the brand new 24 hour bus, will take place on the Cornmarket in Derby city centre at 2pm.  The Skylink team will be along St Peters Street all day with free face painting and skylink goodies, plus the chance to win two free tickets to Scandinavia!  Come along and join in the fun....and don't forget your umbrella!


A man pulling a bus with his ears!

Yes you did read that right!  On Monday 31 March at 1pm, iron man Manjit Singh will pull the brand new 24 hour Loughborough Skylink bus 10 metres using only his ears to break a new Guinness World Record.  

If you would like to witness this amazing stunt, take the bus to Tesco on Loughborough Park Road in Loughborough on Monday 31 March.  The Oak FM crew and Oakey Bear will also be there to broadcast the event live on air, joined by the Skylink team who will be handing out free Skylink goodies!  You are welcome any time between 10am and 4pm for face painting and to have your photo taken with Oakey Bear, but if you're looking for some real action, be there at 1pm to cheer on Manjit!

A new skylink on board!

From 23 March, the Airline Shuttle will stop operating to make way for the new Derby and Loughborough Skylink bus - operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with brand new "greener" vehicles!  Visit skylink.co.uk soon for more details on what's happening in your area to celebrate the new service...

February 2008

Look out for the skylink team in your area!

We're back in the fast lane, getting out and about in the region!  Our outdoor promotional events this month have been very sucessful due to their high visual impact and enthusiastic promotional team, despite the snow and wet weather!  Members of the public have been on board for face painting and free goodies - a great way to spread the message on green travel to and from the Airport.

January 2008

Happy New Year!

We are pleased to announce that 2007 was a record year for Airport bus passengers with 1,023,597 passengers making their Airport journey by bus!

The Airline Shuttle has been the biggest success story with an overall passenger increase of 51.6% from 2006, with 470,894 travelling in 2007. The Nottingham Skylink reported an increase of 31.6% in passenger numbers from 2006, with 505,731 travelling in 2007. The Leicester Skylink carried 46,972 passengers in 2007, its first full calendar year, and reported a 138% increase in passengers from October to December 2006 to the same period in 2007.

December 2007

Merry Christmas from Skylink!

We would like to wish all of our passengers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year! 

If you are spending your Christmas in the sun, or jetting off to see family, don't forget you can lower the cost of your break by travelling to the Airport by bus!  Check here for the Christmas and New Year operating schedule.

Airlink 69 service to be ceased

We are sorry to announce that Arriva will be partially terminating the Airlink 69 from 24 December 2007 due to the service being commercially unsustainable.  A limited day time service will operate from 27 December to the end of January 2008 when it will cease completely. 

The Airport is now working really hard with the local authorities to identify possible transport alternatives for those people living in the Melbourne and Swadlincote area.  We hope that more information on this will be available in the New Year.  If you would like to be personally contacted about this please contact Kelly McHugh on 01332 852967.

November 2007

The only way is up for Airline Shuttle

The Airline Shuttle bus to Derby and Loughborough is celebrating this month for two reasons.  

Firstly, it's reached its highest passenger numbers on record and is currently carrying over 10,000 passengers a week.   During the month of October 2007 the service carried 40,712 passengers which is a 42% increase compared to the 28,643 passengers that travelled in October 2006.

The continued success of the service has led to the decision to re-brand the Airline Shuttle to Skylink and bring it in line with its sister services - Nottingham Skylink and Leicester Skylink.  Another reason for celebrations this month is the news that the service is purchasing 6 new emission free vehicles, funding by East Midlands Development Agency.  The vehicles will be in operation from March next year, along with improvements to the operating hours which will provide a 24 hour service under the name of Derby and Loughborough Skylink.

We hope our passengers will welcome these changes and continue to use this service. 

Leicester Skylink is highly commended at UK Bus Awards

Leicester Skylink was recently highly commended at the UK Bus Awards held in London this month.  The service, which has been operating for just over one year, was recognised for its high level of customer service and maintaining high operational and engineering standards.  

The winner in the category of 'Express Coach Operator of the Year' was the Oxford Bus Company with its 'airline' bus service to Heathrow.

Kelly McHugh, Skylink's Marketing Executive, said "To be nominated in this category is a fantastic achievement; we hope to be a part of this prestigious ceremony which recognises achievements made in the UK bus industry."

October 2007

Nottingham Train Station Skylink bus stop temporarily moved

Due to works taking place outside Nottingham train station on Carrington Street, the Nottingham Skylink bus stop has been temporarily moved and is located around the corner on Colin Street, opposite the Evening Post building.  The works are expected to continue into November.  

Leicester Skylink reduces fares to save you money!

There are some fantastic new and reduced fares on Leicester Skylink that will now make travelling to East Midlands Airport from Leicester even cheaper!

Adult Single	£6
Adult Return	£10 (valid for 1 month)	NEW!
Family Single	£10 (2 adults, 3 children)	NEW!
Family Return	£20 (2 adults, 3 children)	REDUCED!
Go Anywhere Saver	£8	NEW!

Is it your birthday this month?

If you or a member of your family shares your birthday with Leicester Skylink, you could be jetting off to Barcelona with easyJet Holidays!  Simply go to www.oak107fm.co.uk to register your birthday or text OAK BIRTHDAY to 63333.  The winner, of a 2 night stay in a 3 star hotel, will be notified on-air on OAK 107 FM at the end of October.

Half price travel to celebrate Leicester Skylink's 1st birthday!

Leicester Skylink, the hourly direct bus service from Leicester to East Midlands Airport, is celebrating its 1st birthday by offering all of its passenger's half price family travel throughout the month of October.

To travel for just £10 return for a family of two adults and three children, all you have to do is register on Club Skylink and you will automatically be sent a voucher by email or post.

Leicester Skylink operates hourly from St Margaret's Bus Station during the day and every two hours from Abbey Street during the night, 7 days a week.

September 2007

Have a 'Big Day Out' with Skylink!

During the last few weeks, Skylink has been getting out and about in the region promoting public transport to the Airport.  If you have missed any of the recent events, you can track us down this Saturday 22 September at the Big Day Out at Nottingham Castle.  This is a annual family event jam packed with music, workshops, art and the chance to roam around the domes and chambers of a colour changing inflatable sculpture. 

To find out more visit the Big Wheel.

See you there!


Leicester Skylink sponsors Leicester's Celebration of Culture - Belgrave Mela 2007

On Sunday 16 September, Leicester Skylink will be taking part in Leicester's Celebration of Culture.  The annual event will be taking over the city centre from 11am to 6pm.  You can find the Leicester Skylink bus on Gallowtree Gate, where we will have free face painting, balloons and other skylink goodies.

So, if you're in the area come and say hello!


Thank you for 1 million Skylink trips!

On Friday 14 September, the Nottingham Skylink will be celebrating as the 1 millionth passenger steps on board and wins a holiday to Goa with First Choice!  

Holiday makers on the 1 millionth passenger bus will travel for free and be entertained with stand up comedy on their journey to the Airport.  Each passenger will receive a Skylink commemorative goodie bag with Skylink goodies and other great prizes.

No details are being given on the actual departure time of the millionth passenger bus, but those travelling to the Airport that day are encouraged to use Skylink for a chance to win some fantastic prizes.  

The trip to Goa is a 7 night holiday for 2 people departing on 28 February 2008.  No cash alternative can be taken.  No money can be refunded if the chosen holiday is less than the holiday prize given.  Subject to availability.  Must travel from East Midlands Airport.  

So from Skylink, thank you!


Oakey Bear goes on holiday!

Oak 107 FM's Oakey Bear is off on holiday on Friday 7 September and will be travelling to the Airport on the Airlink Coalville bus service!  Oakey will be in Coalville Market Square to help us celebrate the launch of our new vehicles on the service.  The Airlink Coalville began service in May 2007, and now has bright red easily recognisable buses in operation.  

You can join Oakey and friends this Friday  - come along for free face painting and pick up a timetable and other freebies while you're there.

The Airlink Coalville service operates hourly from 4am right through to midnight, 7 days a week.  

August 2007

 

East Midlands Development Agency step on board Skylink!

The regional development agency, emda, recently boarded the Leicester Skylink bus from the Airport to St Margaret's Bus Station for a spot of filming!  Passengers were interviewed on board to find out what they really think about the service.  emda have reported that there were lots of happy passengers and an even happier bus driver!  Agnesh, a regular driver on the service, said "I really enjoy driving on skylink - we have lots of excited, happy passengers off to exotic destinations which creates a nice atmosphere".

The short film will be shown at emda's Annual Public Meeting taking place in October to showcase various projects that emda have had an involvement with.  The Leicester Skylink service was jointly funded by emda, the Airport, Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council.  

July 2007

Take to the sky with skylink.co.uk

Sign up to Club Skylink today and you could be the 500th lucky new member to win a fantastic mini break for two people to a European destination of your choice travelling from East Midlands Airport!  

So, if you are yet to jet off this summer, now's your chance to take to the sky with skylink.co.uk

Signing up is easy - just visit Club Skylink and complete the registration form.  The 500th new member will be contacted with details of their prize, including free transfers on an Airport bus service of their choice to and from the Airport and complimentary entrance to the Executive Lounge.  

Help us to celebrate Club Skylink and register today!


Official launch of skylink website gets off to a flying start! 


Visitors to the Skylink website will get an extra surprise when the website is officially launched in July. Pop back soon for more information!

June 2007

Buy your bus travel at Ilkeston Co-op Travel Shops

Passengers travelling from Nottingham, Leicester, Derby and Loughborough can now purchase their bus travel in advance from Ilkeston Co-op Travel Shops located at:

Nottingham – Wheeler Gate
Leicester – Horsefair Street
Derby – St Peter’s Street
Loughborough – Market Square

If you have already booked your holiday, pop in to your local store and see a member of staff about bus travel who will be happy to help.

Or next time you are planning a holiday, book it at Ilkeston Co-op Travel and you can purchase your bus travel at the same time, making it easier and one less thing to worry about! 


New look Skylink website! 

Welcome to the new look Skylink website, providing you with everything you need to know about the bus services operating to and from East Midlands Airport to the surrounding cities, towns and villages.

International visitors flying into East Midlands Airport to the area, will find lots of information on what to do in the East Midlands during their stay.