Night buses to key destinations across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are to be reintroduced this weekend by Aberdeen City Council – and they’ll be free of charge.
After a tendering process, the Council has contracted the 10 routes out to First Bus which will operate them from the city centre on weekends from Saturday, November 16, 2024 to Sunday, January 5, 2025.
The provision of the night bus services will be funded from bus lane enforcement revenue.
Aberdeen City Council co-leader councillor Ian Yuill said: “I am delighted that the Council is able to provide these free night bus services. Aberdeen’s night buses were very popular in the past and I’m sure they will be just as popular this year, especially during the festive period when more people than normal are out enjoying the cafes, restaurants, and pubs in the city centre.
“The night buses will provide a safe and efficient transport for visitors to our city centre. I hope as many people as possible take advantage of this free and safe transport home.”
Aberdeen City Council co-leader councillor Christian Allard said: “The return of the night buses will be welcomed by not just people enjoying a night out but also by businesses in the city centre.
“The Aberdeen City Council move will help to support businesses by giving people another transport option for getting home.”
All services will operate on Friday night/Saturday morning and Saturday night/Sunday morning only, from 12midnight to approximately 3.30am.
David Adam, operations manager for First Aberdeen, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be running Aberdeen’s night bus network over the festive period, supporting the city’s night-time economy while also helping people get home safely and completely free of charge at the weekend.
“We are aware the challenges people have experienced in getting home from a night out, an event or indeed after a nightshift in the city centre in the early hours of the morning and hope the night bus network will allow more people to enjoy all that Aberdeen has to offer.”
Aberdeen Inspired will also be promoting the Council-funded night buses.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to have brought the night bus project to the table and built consensus with partners to ensure night bus services return, just as we enter the festive season. We are grateful to Aberdeen City Council and First Bus for producing this service so quickly
“The importance of night buses to Aberdeen cannot be underestimated in terms of getting people home reliably and safely after a night out while boosting the night-time economy. The night bus project is a massive vote of confidence in Aberdeen’s vital night-time economy and one that can only help regenerate the heart of the Granite City.”
The services are:
- N1, city centre – Dubford/Ashwood/Danestone, via King Street;
- N61, city centre – Ellon via Balmedie and Newburgh;
- N17, city centre – Bucksburn/Dyce, via Great Northern Road;
- N9, city centre – Inverurie, via Blackburn and Kintore, via Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI);
- N12, Torry – Northfield/Northfield - Torry, via city centre and Rosemount;
- N23, city centre – Kingswells, via Summerhill and Sheddocksley;
- N6, city centre – Westhill, via Queens Road;
- N201, city centre – Banchory, via Cults and Peterculter, via North Deeside Road;
- N18, city centre – Kincorth/Cove;
- N7, Garthdee – Stonehaven/Stonehaven - Garthdee, via city centre, Portlethen and Newtonhill.
The provision of night bus services will be reviewed by the City Council after this initial trial period.
Full route and timetable information is at Weekend Night Bus Services | Aberdeen City Council