University Buses: SMART Thinking, Uni-linking!
Unilink 34
Buses to the University of Nottingham have got bigger, better and more frequent thanks to service improvements introduced by NCT today (22nd September 2008).
Unilink 34 is one of NCT’s Top 10 Growth routes, carrying nearly 100,000 more passengers in the last financial year, an increase of nearly 46% compared to the previous year.
Unilink service 34, running between the City Centre and University Park has:
- increased from every 12 minutes to every 10 minutes
- increased in bus size to operate with full size single deck buses
- has a brand new, eye-catching external look
- continues to offer coverage of the City Centre, serving Maid Marian Way, Broad Marsh (for bus and train station), the Victoria Centre area and Old Market Square
- a new experimental winter vacation service, thanks to University of Nottingham support
- New Unilink 31 will start running between the City Centre and Jubilee Campus Grounds, with the following features:Unilink 31
- An NCT service running into the Jubilee Campus Grounds for the first time
- buses running every 20 mins between 8am & 6pm on Monday to Friday, term times
- low floor, easy access buses branded in a distinctive pink livery
- direct links to the Victoria Centre and Upper Parliament Street
The Unilink improvements are supported by the University of Nottingham as part of their commitment to encourage more staff and students to use sustainable ways of getting to and from the campus. Gavin Scott, University of Nottingham’s Environmental Manager said, “The establishment of this new Unilink service is brilliant and provides direct connectivity between our Jubilee Campus and the City centre. It complements our intercampus services and together with our investments in cycle infrastructure increases transport choice for people travelling to our campuses. I am sure it will be as equal a success as the Unilink 34 service that links University Park with the QMC and City Centre.”
The improvements in Unilink services form part of an integrated package for both University staff and students, who are able to activate their University ID smartcard as an Easyrider travel pass, which gives unlimited travel on the Unilink services, NCT buses, NET trams and Go2 Night weekend buses, all from less than £1 per day.
Special academic term and year passes are available from the on-campus Pioneer Travel Shop, a convenient location to activate cards and top up with additional travel.
David Astill, NCT Commercial Manager, commented on the Unilink developments, “Unilink has been a really good success story for NCT and one which we want to continue. By increasing capacity on the 34, through the bigger buses and increased frequency, as well as introducing new Unilink service 31 for Jubilee Campus, NCT are demonstrating their commitment to providing high quality services to an important customer base.”.