Gatwick shuttle bus service partially terminated Published Aug. 18, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs RAF MILDENHALL, England -- As a result of periodic usage review, one of two shuttle bus services to Gatwick Airport in London has been terminated as of Aug. 18 due to a distinct lack of official travelers. The shuttle departed RAF Mildenhall at 8 a.m. daily and departed Gatwick Airport with return service at 2:30 p.m. "When Heathrow Airport opened Terminal 5, most major U.S. carriers that we use moved," said Master Sgt. Hyon Lee, 3rd Air Force U.K. Logistics superintendent. "It doesn't make sense to have one or two people riding it on any given day. It's just not a smart way to do business." Every three months, the shuttle service is reviewed for efficiency and cost in regards to ridership trends, Sergeant Lee said. As a result of terminating the second Gatwick shuttle, the operating costs by the carrier were reduced. Official travelers now only pay 50 pounds per trip instead of the previous 60-pound price. "Canceling the shuttle will save the Air Force more than $180,000 annually," said Jose Pina, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron Distribution and Deployment Flight chief. "It also allowed us to negotiate a lower price with the carrier taking into account the reduced operating cost for the company from cancelling the shuttle." For those official travelers affected by the cancellation, other means of transportation to the base remain available. While the shuttle bus is the preferred method, taxis, busses, trains and other shuttle services are still an option. Travelers can also catch the shuttle departing to or from Heathrow Airport. Space-Available travelers may still ride any remaining shuttle bus services free of charge. Editor's note: Airman 1st Class Kristopher Levasseur, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this report.