Stagecoach Bluebird is inviting customers to give feedback on proposed changes to timetables.
For a number of years, public feedback received during consultation has really shaped the local bus network offering better connections for the local communities to the places that matter most to them.
The proposals come following an extensive review of the network and travel habits in the area. Customer research has shown that many find travelling by bus confusing and difficult to understand and Stagecoach Bluebird hope that their revised timetables will make it much easier for non existing bus users to try travelling by bus. The consultation is open until Sunday, February 16 with the new timetables proposed to begin operation on Monday, April 6 2020.
Changes in the Buchan area will see communities benefit from a revised network that has been designed to better meet the demand for services from the various towns in the area. A new town service will be introduced in Ellon as well as faster journey times to/from Aberdeen as a result of a reduction of the number of stops being served between Aberdeen and Tipperty.
In Inverurie journeys are also set to be quicker to Aberdeen with more service 10 journeys being introduced in line with customer demand. Services 37/X37 and 10 have served the town for years but the regular bus users know that their journey can be much quicker on service 10, so journeys using the 37 route have been reduced to meet demand and more service 10 journeys are to be introduced. Communities in Huntly and Keith will benefit from more journeys in the morning and afternoon peaks to address previous capacity issues on the popular bus service.
One of the biggest changes proposed comes for Kingswells, Countesswells and Westhill with service X17 being split to services 4, 5 and 6. The new routes will offer fast and frequent links to Aberdeen from Westhill, Prime Four and Kingswells Park and Ride. The service from Kingswells Park and Ride to the city centre is proposed to increase from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes. A route revision in Westhill will also see a reduction in journey times for getting to the city centre by bus. Residents in Countesswells will no longer have to change bus at Kingswells Park and Ride to get to the city centre as the bus will operate direct between Countesswells and Union Square Bus Station. More morning journeys have been introduced to offer commuters a more attractive service for getting to the city centre.
In Deeside, the service 201 timetable has been simplified for customers and the route variations have been reduced. As a result of this, it is proposed that Banchory will welcome back a local daytime town service connecting the most popular places in the town. Service to Lumphanan and Torphins has been reduced in line with customer demand, commuter journeys will be maintained with the off-peak journeys withdrawn.
The Stonehaven area will see some enhancements to the service they have access to with new X7 journeys providing the quickest link to Aberdeen by bus. These services will operate on a limited stop basis allowing the journey times to be enhanced overall. A new hourly route will be introduced connecting the new housing at Chapelton to Aberdeen via Newtonhill and Portlethen.
Following a year of low use, service 747 will be revised to operate only between Ellon and Aberdeen Airport. The section of route between Aberdeen Airport and Stonehaven is to be withdrawn. Journeys between Stonehaven and Montrose will revert to service 107.
Peter Knight, managing director for Stagecoach Bluebird said: “We are looking forward to hearing the views from our customers about our planned revisions to the bus network in Aberdeenshire. Everything we have planned is to best use our fleet of buses to meet the travel habits in the area as well as improving the punctuality of the services. Simplifying the network is something we know we need to do in Aberdeenshire in order to welcome more customers on board our buses and hope the local communities will take the time to provide us with their feedback and ideas.”
Feedback is welcomed from today until Sunday, February 16 and can be submitted via email to bluebird.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com or at one of the events listed below.
Consultation Events
Monday, February 10 –
0700 – 1000 – Peterhead Interchange
1600 – 1800 – Fraserburgh Bus Station
Tuesday, February 11-
1600 – 1900 – Aberdeen bus station
Wednesday, February 12 -
0700 – 1000 – Fraserburgh Bus Station
1600 – 1800 – Peterhead Interchange
Thursday, February 13 -
0630 – 0900 – Ellon Park & Ride
1300 – 1500 – Chapelton Cabin
Friday, February 14 -
1600 – 1900 – Aberdeen Bus Station
Full details of the proposed changes to services operated by Stagecoach Bluebird can be downloaded using the below links.
Buchan Guide
Stonehaven Guide
Inverurie Guide
Service 10
Service 34
Service 35
Alford Kemnay
Deeside, see also the Banchory Map
Westhill Guide, see also the Westhill Map
Service 59