Sharp rise in JLA passengers travelling by bus to airport

Apr 1 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

Robin Tudor

MORE people are choosing to take public transport to Liverpool John Lennon Airport than ever before.

Results released today by the Civil Aviation Authority show 15% of all passengers last year travelled to the airport by bus or train.

This figure is up 75% on 2005 and above target.

The number of public transport travellers has beaten the 12% target set for 2008 by an Airport Transport Forum.

Increased Arriva bus services to the airport from across the region and bus priority measures are thought to be responsible for the increase.

Coach operator Terravision has also helped to increase usage by offering a regional service to Manchester alongside Arriva’s 700 Manchester service.

Robin Tudor, the airport’s general manager of corporate and community affairs, said: “The recent improvements in services and public transport facilities both on and off site are making a real difference and helping to deliver the objective of seeing more airport passengers choose to use public transport.

“These latest figures mean Liverpool has one of the best records when compared to many other similar sized UK airports.”

The airport is tackling climate change in a number of ways, including pioneering carbon offsetting schemes and the use of wind turbines.

Increased use of public transport by passengers and staff is a key environmental commitment set out in the airport’s Surface Access Strategy which has been in place for a number of years.

Cllr Mark Dowd, chairman of Merseytravel, said: “These are strong figures and show how valuable public transport links are to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

“More passengers, from Liverpool and across the region, are seeing public transport as the best way to travel.

“We have been working very closely with the airport to make Liverpool South Parkway a success and it is working; the interchange is exceeding every target we set.

Neil Scales, chief executive and director general of Merseytravel, added: “Liverpool South Parkway has helped us link more people to the airport than ever before, so we are delighted with that. We intend to build on this success story.

“It is helping to improve access to the unique attractions of Liverpool and Merseyside, as well as linking millions of people to international travel.”

Š For full details of links to John Lennon Airport visit www.liverpool airport.com

laurasharpe