26th August 2009

Scottish Citylink and the Scottish Football Association Launch Direct Match-Day Travel Services

Scottish Citylink, Scotland’s premier coach company, has teamed up with the Scottish Football Association, the driving force behind the sport in Scotland, to introduce a series of new direct services into Hampden Park, for Scotland fans, on international match-days.

It’s hoped that the ‘Sportslink’ ticket initiative will encourage supporters to enjoy a great day out, without the expense of petrol and parking, whilst saving them the time and hassle of driving too and from the ground.

With stadium parking space at a premium it’s also hoped that the ‘Sportslink’ ticket will have an impact on excessive congestion around the stadium.

The SFA has been keen to listen to supporters’ concerns, regarding match day travel, and CEO Gordon Smith says that the partnership with Citylink proves that the SFA are willing and able to take on board the feelings of the fans and make things happen.

Gordon Smith, CEO of the Scottish Football Association said:

“Citylink and the SFA have secured an agreement to ensure punters will be taken directly to and from seven major cities across the country to ease their problems. We spoke to Citylink about matchday travel issues as we know their group work with one or two clubs in England. We looked at Sportslink for fans coming into Hampden from major distances around the country.”

And Smith clearly recognises that there have been transport issues for fans attending game as the National Stadium:

“From time to time they have had difficulties. Like getting from the train station or parking their cars. The Sportslink service will take fans directly to the stadium then directly home. That's what the initiative is about and we hope it will be well used. Fans have expressed on the website the difficulty they can have at times. We do listen to them and we'll continue to do so. If they have ideas then we can address them and do something about it."

The new services, operating from Aberdeen, Inverness, Perth, Dundee, Stirling, Aviemore and Edinburgh, will deliver fans directly to the stadium, from their place of origin, making it much easier to get to the match.

Tom Wileman, CEO of Scottish Citylink said:

“Many adults are used to driving to games in their own cars, despite the cost of parking and the inconvenience of heavy traffic before and after the match. We believe that if we can show supporters that public transport is a credible alternative, and a benefit to the community, then perhaps supporters will change their habits and consider alternative match-day transportation.”

Many of Citylink’s state-of-the-art vehicles are fitted with air-conditioning, toilets and have special lifts for wheelchair passengers, making travel not only affordable, reliable and clean, but fully accessible.

Councillor Alistair Watson, Chair of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) said:

“In these difficult financial times supporters will find the coaches convenient and good value for money. And if that encourages two World Cup sell outs, at Hampden Park, that will be fantastic.”

For the first time fans will be able to relax and enjoy the match, safe in the knowledge that their return journey home is secure, whatever amount of added time there is at the end of the game.

And to launch the scheme Gordon Smith, Stephanie Docherty, Operations Manager Citylink, and Councillor Alistair Watson welcomed one of Citylink’s state-of-the-art Sportslink liveried coaches, at the main entrance of Hampden Park, on Wednesday 26th August at 12.30pm.

Issued by Marksman International on behalf of Scottish Citylink.

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