Scottish Citylink is driving ahead with a 10% increase in operating profits in 2003.

The leading express coach operator has gone from strength to strength with turnover reaching £13.5 million in 2003 - a 3% increase in revenue growth.

The company has also seen growth in passenger numbers with a 4% rise to 3.4 million. This has included growth on key routes including a 5% increase on the flagship Glasgow-Edinburgh route.

The Citylink network serves over 200 destinations throughout Scotland with over 400 departures per day and the company has further expanded its network with the introduction of new routes such as Perth – Oban during the summer and Dunblane – Stirling – Edinburgh.

Key to the company’s success was the introduction of an online sales and reservation system in September. It allows customers to plan their journey, reserve seats and pay for tickets on-line and is also accessed by Citylink retail staff and agents. The new system allows for yield management of seats, meaning that very low headline fares can be offered on journeys where there is spare capacity.

Citylink invested £500,000 in the system to set it apart from its competitors and to support the further growth and development of the business.

Neil Wood, Managing Director of Citylink, said: “Citylink is justifiably proud of its achievements during 2003 and the company has continued to grow and develop over the past 12 months.

“This is our third year of growth both in terms of operating profits and in passenger numbers and we will be working to continue this trend in 2004.”

Issued by the BIG partnership on behalf of Scottish Citylink.

For further information please contact:

Kay Pullar on 0141 333 9585.