easyBus plans depot for Shrewsbury creating new jobs

Shropshire businessman Andrew Martin is in charge of the new operation between the county and Manchester Airport.

He said the service is part of an expansion driven by easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

Mr Martin today spoke to the Shropshire Star as he prepares to launch the service later this month.

If the service proves successful on its initial route – which passes through Telford, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Wrexham and Chester – the franchise could become also run services in other isolated areas.

It was revealed last week that an easyBus franchise has been launched by Mr Martin, providing £2 journeys between the county and Manchester Airport.

Mr Martin said the plans have been in the offing for almost three years, and came off the back of a meeting with Sir Stelios.

"Three years ago I had a conversation with Sir Stelios, and out of that operation we got the exclusive rights to operate easyBus in France, which is something we are rolling out slowly," said Mr Martin, who also owns French coach company Chamexpress, transferring passengers from airports to Alpine resorts near Geneva.

"When we moved to Shrewsbury I was flying out to France every two weeks, and that meant either driving to the airport and paying for parking or getting a taxi – and if I was in that situation I knew there were other people in it too.

"So we identified a need, and when you start to look at that need you see Manchester Airport actually isn't terribly well-served despite its size.

"We are looking at areas where the transport infrastructure isn't great, and as well as helping the general public go on holiday we can help business by making communication links easier.

"We can also help inbound tourism – we want to make it easy for people to get from places like the airport to places like Shrewsbury."

Sir Stelios is being kept in touch with developments in the county and is expected to visit in person when it is launched.

Mr Martin added: "Sir Stelios and I have phone calls two or three times a week – he is always open to new business ideas and innovations that benefit the consumer, so that sat well with me, and it's something I've always wanted as part of the businesses I've run."

The franchise is opening a depot in Harlescott in Shrewsbury to act as a base for the business, and is headquartered on Shrewsbury Business Park.

About 15 jobs – mainly for drivers – will be created to support the Shropshire-to-Manchester route, which will launch on October 20 and run for the first time the following day.

It will operate with smaller 16-seat mini-coaches to cut down on costs.

"This is the first route, and we will look to open more as we have the rights to other areas," Mr Martin added.

"Bookings are coming in steadily. There's a big gap in the market for operators to use smaller vehicles that are more efficient and greener, and mean you have a lower cost base to pass onto the consumer.

"We can go places that Mega Bus and National Express can't because running a 60-seat coach or bus is simply not viable with 10 people on.

"It's going to take time to grow and we know it won't be an overnight success as people forward plan their holidays, but we expect it to grow steadily over time.

"We are sponsoring the Shrewsbury Christmas lights switch-on, we are working with the Shrewsbury BID. We want to integrate and be part of the community for the benefit of everybody."

When the launch of the bus service was announced Sir Stelios said: "We want to help the Shropshire traveller's pound go that little bit further – particularly after sterling's fall – which means more opportunity to enjoy what their holiday destinations have to offer.

"I am also confident we can create a big impact in the county by making Manchester Airport more accessible to those on a budget."

The news received a deluge of comments on the Shropshire Star's Facebook page, with mixed responses to the arrival of the service in the county.

While some welcomed the low-cost alternative, others admitted they were unlikely to use it.

One user posted: "That route by bus is going to take hours!

"I'd rather pay more to get up later at the start and get home quicker and the end of the holiday."

Another added: "Shame I didn't know about this last week."