As part of its proactive Public Transport Policy, Heathrow Airport Ltd (HAL) is working with the bus and coach operators to effect further improvements to the range and quality of services, including in some cases the provision of direct financial support. In the case of National Express and other long haul operators, HAL is pursuing various joint marketing and promotion schemes aimed at making air passengers more aware of the range and frequency of airport services. New brands such as National Express "Airlink" product are an important element of this campaign. HAL is also embarking on a programme of re-branding and funding of service enhancements to key local bus routes in an attempt to persuade more airport attempt to persuade more airport employees to use public transport to travel to work. To date, two such routes to Kingston and to Slough have been promoted in this way, and a number of others in the Staines, Hillingdon and Hounslow corridors are being actively pursued. In parallel, HAL is mounting an intensive communications programme to ensure that airport employees are aware of the range of services available to them. Together these initiatives demonstrate how private and public sector can work in harness to produce real benefits for the travelling public and environmental benefits generally through a reduction in the number of private car trips.
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