Airport shuttle service changes payment methods for official travelers

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Official travelers from RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath will start paying £60 per person each way for the airport shuttle bus service as of March 1, in an effort to save about $250,000 a year in unnecessary travel costs. 

Previously, official and space-available travelers did not pay out of pocket for the service to and from Heathrow and Gatwick airports. According to Maj. Chris Simms, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron operations officer, that does not mean that the travel was free. 

"Most people are unaware that there is any payment involved at all with the airport shuttle," he said. "That's because payment was processed through their orders." 

By allowing official travelers to pay upfront for their bus ride, the Air Force saves $25 in transaction fees for each traveler. The savings add up to approximately $250,000 a year. 

"The cost itself hasn't changed," said Tech. Sgt. Antoinette Buntin, 48th LRS NCOIC of passenger travel. "It has always been 60 pounds sterling, except for space-A. Those on space-A travel may still use the bus free of charge." 

Official travelers are urged to use their government travel card as a primary source of payment, Sergeant Buntin said. Alternatively, cash (British Pound Sterling) or a personal Visa or MasterCard may be used. All payments are rendered at the bus. American currency will not be accepted. There are Bureaus de Change within both airports, as well as locations on both bases to exchange currency. 

Travelers will be reimbursed by claiming it as an expense on their travel vouchers - whether they are traveling as part of temporary duty assignments or in conjunction with a permanent change of station. The reimbursement will take into account the date of transaction to determine the conversion rate from sterling to dollars as not to lose money due to exchange rate fluctuations,. 

"We're trying to get the word out through many channels," said Major Simms. "We want to make sure no one is surprised when they have to pay. There has been a lot of misinformation out there. We want to set the record straight." 

There are two busses daily which pick up passengers at various points on both bases and drop them at either Heathrow or Gatwick. There are two more which pick up passengers at the airports and shuttle them to either base. Pets are still not allowed on the busses, although there are alternative couriers for those people traveling with pets. 

For a complete schedule, alternatives, and directions click HERE.