A new bus service connecting Dundee, Perth, and Stirling to Glasgow Airport has recently launched, promising a convenient travel option for holidaymakers. The Courier decided to put this new FlixBus route to the test, embarking on a round trip from Dundee to Glasgow Airport to assess its practicality and comfort, particularly for residents of Perth and Kinross. Testing the Service: A Simulated Holiday Journey
Boarding the green FlixBus coach in Dundee city centre, our reporter joined a mix of passengers, some of whom had embarked at the start of the route in Aberdeen. The journey to Perth was smooth, offering scenic views of the River Tay and the picturesque Carse of Gowrie. However, delays began to surface upon reaching Perth’s Broxden Roundabout, a key interchange for many Perthshire commuters, with traffic slowing to a crawl. Similar congestion was encountered at the Keir Roundabout near Dunblane, another familiar bottleneck for those travelling from Perthshire. While the onboard Wi-Fi offered a welcome distraction, these delays raised questions about the reliability of the service for time-sensitive travellers.
Interestingly, despite the bus stopping at Castleview Park and Ride near Stirling and Broxden Park and Ride, no new passengers boarded at either location. The Park and Ride locations, while offering potential for convenient transfers, seemed underutilized, possibly due to their distance from Perth and Stirling city centres and limited shuttle services connecting them.
The journey continued towards Glasgow, passing by the iconic Stirling Castle, shrouded in the distance by heavy rain. Nearing Glasgow, further traffic disruptions were experienced near Denny, adding to the growing concern about adhering to a strict flight schedule.
Arriving at Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station before the final leg to the airport, it became apparent that the majority of passengers were not airport-bound, highlighting the dual purpose of the route, serving both city-to-city and airport travellers. The final stretch to the airport, however, was completed efficiently, with the bus arriving on schedule. Comparing Travel Options: Cost and Convenience for Perthshire Residents
With over two hours to spare before the return journey, there was ample opportunity to compare the cost and convenience of the bus service to alternative modes of transport. The pre-booked return bus ticket from Dundee cost just under £24. Considering current parking charges at Glasgow Airport exceeding £50 for a three-day stay (plus the considerable fuel costs for the round trip from Perthshire), the bus presented a significantly more economical option.
Train travel offered another possibility, however with a ScotRail return journey from Dundee to Glasgow likely costing at least £28, plus the additional £11.50 for the airport bus connection from Glasgow city centre, the overall price was still higher than the direct Flixbus route.
While other coach services offer potentially cheaper fares to Glasgow itself, the lack of direct airport transfers from their arrival points adds to both travel time and cost, making the new FlixBus route appealing for its direct link to the airport. Return Journey and Overall Verdict
The return journey to Dundee was relatively smooth, passing through Perth and Stirling with minimal delays. Despite a slight issue with mismatched seat reservations on the return coach, the overall journey time was reasonable, clocking in at around two hours and 25 minutes. The comfortable seating and direct route made for a pleasant experience, though the increasing stuffiness on the bus towards the end of the journey slightly detracted from the overall comfort.
For Perthshire residents, the new FlixBus service to Glasgow Airport offers a compelling alternative to driving, especially for shorter trips where parking costs can quickly escalate. The environmental benefit of opting for public transport also adds to its appeal. However, the limited timetable, particularly the lack of service during certain parts of the day, and potential for traffic-related delays may require careful planning and consideration of flight schedules.
Future improvements to the Park and Ride services, particularly enhancing connections to city centres, could further boost the attractiveness of this route for those living in and around Perth.
Boarding the green FlixBus coach in Dundee city centre, our reporter joined a mix of passengers, some of whom had embarked at the start of the route in Aberdeen. The journey to Perth was smooth, offering scenic views of the River Tay and the picturesque Carse of Gowrie. However, delays began to surface upon reaching Perth’s Broxden Roundabout, a key interchange for many Perthshire commuters, with traffic slowing to a crawl. Similar congestion was encountered at the Keir Roundabout near Dunblane, another familiar bottleneck for those travelling from Perthshire. While the onboard Wi-Fi offered a welcome distraction, these delays raised questions about the reliability of the service for time-sensitive travellers.
Interestingly, despite the bus stopping at Castleview Park and Ride near Stirling and Broxden Park and Ride, no new passengers boarded at either location. The Park and Ride locations, while offering potential for convenient transfers, seemed underutilized, possibly due to their distance from Perth and Stirling city centres and limited shuttle services connecting them.
The journey continued towards Glasgow, passing by the iconic Stirling Castle, shrouded in the distance by heavy rain. Nearing Glasgow, further traffic disruptions were experienced near Denny, adding to the growing concern about adhering to a strict flight schedule.
Arriving at Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station before the final leg to the airport, it became apparent that the majority of passengers were not airport-bound, highlighting the dual purpose of the route, serving both city-to-city and airport travellers. The final stretch to the airport, however, was completed efficiently, with the bus arriving on schedule. Comparing Travel Options: Cost and Convenience for Perthshire Residents
With over two hours to spare before the return journey, there was ample opportunity to compare the cost and convenience of the bus service to alternative modes of transport. The pre-booked return bus ticket from Dundee cost just under £24. Considering current parking charges at Glasgow Airport exceeding £50 for a three-day stay (plus the considerable fuel costs for the round trip from Perthshire), the bus presented a significantly more economical option.
Train travel offered another possibility, however with a ScotRail return journey from Dundee to Glasgow likely costing at least £28, plus the additional £11.50 for the airport bus connection from Glasgow city centre, the overall price was still higher than the direct Flixbus route.
While other coach services offer potentially cheaper fares to Glasgow itself, the lack of direct airport transfers from their arrival points adds to both travel time and cost, making the new FlixBus route appealing for its direct link to the airport. Return Journey and Overall Verdict
The return journey to Dundee was relatively smooth, passing through Perth and Stirling with minimal delays. Despite a slight issue with mismatched seat reservations on the return coach, the overall journey time was reasonable, clocking in at around two hours and 25 minutes. The comfortable seating and direct route made for a pleasant experience, though the increasing stuffiness on the bus towards the end of the journey slightly detracted from the overall comfort.
For Perthshire residents, the new FlixBus service to Glasgow Airport offers a compelling alternative to driving, especially for shorter trips where parking costs can quickly escalate. The environmental benefit of opting for public transport also adds to its appeal. However, the limited timetable, particularly the lack of service during certain parts of the day, and potential for traffic-related delays may require careful planning and consideration of flight schedules.
Future improvements to the Park and Ride services, particularly enhancing connections to city centres, could further boost the attractiveness of this route for those living in and around Perth.