trentbarton have created a new bus link for the people of Ilkeston, Stapleford and Sandiacre to access the thousands of new jobs being created in and around East Midlands Airport.

The brand new bus link is an extension to our my15 service. The East Midlands Airport direct my15 link will run every hour, seven days a week, connecting the towns’ workers to the current and future employment opportunities. It is also ideal for local people flying into or out of the Airport.

We have also improved the existing my15 route with an increase in frequency from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes. And are deploying eight newly refurbished buses to boost the fleet, providing more buses more often.

The new additions will include lots of creature comforts such as USB charging points and stylish comfortable interiors.

Jeff Counsell, managing director, said: “my15 has, in one form or another, been a staple of the Erewash community for more than 50 years. By creating this direct link, we aim to help local people to be part of the jobs bonanza at and around East Midlands Airport in the coming decade.

“Working in partnership with East Midlands Airport over the last 10 years, we’ve created a quality, high frequency network to connect workers and jet setters to this growing region.

“There is so much economic development around the Airport, with new jobs being created, that providing workers and air travellers alike with direct, affordable and convenient transport is key to helping people make the most of the opportunities.”

Erewash MP Maggie Throup said: “It’s really good that the people of Ilkeston and other communities along the route are going to get such a frequent service to access the increasing number of work opportunities at and around the airport.

“Many of the new and existing jobs will not necessarily be Monday to Friday nine-to-five roles, so having seven days a week early morning to late at night access to a comfortable and convenient commute is a real positive for the people of Erewash.”

Geoff Moss, East Midlands Airport’s asset director, said: “We’re delighted that trentbarton have increased both its fleet of buses and the frequency of the service to the airport. We have ambitious plans for the airport which will increase the number of jobs across the site.

“Work has now started on the new UPS facility which will create 1,000 more jobs here, but people need to be able to easily access them, not only by car, but on public transport too. Expanding the bus service to Ilkeston, Stapleford and Sandiacre is timely for passengers too as we enter the summer season.

“Last summer was our busiest since 2008 and we’re hoping to do even better this year. Therefore, it’s critical that a wider population can get to and from the airport by public transport.” East Midlands Airport and the businesses in the East Midlands Enterprise Gateway [EMEG] area already employ 10,000 people, with a potential 20,000 new jobs to be created in the next 20 years.