Press releases

Thousands set to benefit as Quality Bus Partnership delivers new vehicles for Green Line 724, Harlow to Heathrow

A new Quality Bus Partnership formed by BAA Heathrow, Hertfordshire County Council and Arriva the Shires and Essex has funded the purchase of 9 brand new Mercedes Citaro single deck buses to upgrade one of the area's key public transport routes, Green Line 724.

Last year over 350,000 journeys were made on Green Line 724, which runs hourly Monday to Saturday and every two hours on Sundays from Harlow via Hertford, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, St Albans, Watford, Rickmansworth and Uxbridge to Heathrow.

Customers, who include commuters, shoppers, students and people accessing Heathrow Airport, are set to enjoy a range of new features from the Mercedes Citaro buses, which will come into operation on the service during August, including:

• air Conditioning and tinted windows;
• environmentally friendly Euro III engines ;
• full wheelchair accessibility;
• 39 comfortable coach-style seats (or 37 + wheelchair);
• new Green Line livery by Best Impressions.

As well as the investment in new buses the route is also set to benefit from a range of other initiatives aimed at increasing the number of people using the service and so reducing car usage, congestion and pollution on the county's roads:

• a revised timetable from Sunday 3 September, 2006, offering faster journey times and improved reliability;
• new bus stop signage and clearer roadside publicity;
• special driver training focusing on the needs of airport customers;
• new Green Line uniforms for all drivers;
• ongoing marketing to raise the profile of the service.

The investment being made by the Partnership will produce a real step change in the quality of service being offered by Green Line 724

said Arriva's the Shires and Essex managing director, Keith Spicer.

Whether you're using the service to visit one of the many major local towns en route or want to take advantage of the cost effective access to Heathrow Green Line 724 provides. The improvements will make an already excellent service even better and more comfortable to use.

The new buses will be displayed to members of the public at a series of road-shows at major towns along the route during early August, when people will also be able to pick up timetables and find out more about great value tickets available on the service.

Edwin Swaris, bus and coach strategy manager, BAA Heathrow said,

BAA Heathrow are proud to be working in partnership with Arriva the Shires and Essex and Hertfordshire County Council to develop and promote this important transport link. The new vehicles, and planned improvements to information and infrastructure will enable passengers and staff to travel in both comfort and style.