Aberdeen Inspired is urging people to use the free night buses which will return from this weekend, as businesses in the city centre’s vital night-time economy hailed the service as a vital boost for their sector.
Night buses started on Saturday, November 16, with 10 routes to key destinations in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire operating on weekends until Sunday, January 5.
The provision of the night bus services - contracted to First Bus by Aberdeen City Council - will be funded from bus lane enforcement revenue and has been introduced in collaboration with Aberdeen Inspired.
Already several city centre businesses have warmly welcomed the return of night buses as a much-needed boost for the night-time economy, helping people get home reliably and safely after a night out.
Lynn Sangster, general manager of the Tivoli Theatre
on Guild Street, said: “Night buses returning to the city are extremely welcome by the Tivoli Theatre.
"Many of our audience members leave shows a little bit early to get their last bus, or indeed decide not to come to a show if it finishes after their last bus time.
“The reintroduction of night buses will have a hugely positive impact on many city centre businesses who operate in the night-time economy.”
Her view was echoed by Neil Matheson, general manager of Nando’s on Belmont Street.
"The return of free night bus service in Aberdeen city centre is a fantastic boost for our nighttime economy, making the city more accessible and vibrant after dark,” he said.
“It’s a win for local businesses, and safer nights out. We hope that this scheme will continue to become a year-round initiative.”
Russell Davidson, general manager of Revolucion de Cuba at The Academy on Belmont Street, agreed the night buses will bring benefits for both guests and businesses.
“With limited numbers of taxis available, long wait times are inevitable in the later hours and the thought of waiting in the cold for undefined amounts of time can be a major deterrent for guests wanting to enjoy the night-time economy,” he said.
“The night buses are a great reliable option to ensure guests visiting the city centre can get safely home in a timely fashion.”
Gavin Paterson, general manager of the Douglas Hotel, on Market Street, highlighted the importance of night buses in helping get staff and workers in the night-time economy home after looking after guests and visitors all evening.
He said: “We are delighted that the night bus service from First is returning over the festive period which will provide a great service for our guests to the hotel, and the hotel team.”
Danuta Dobrzanska, business engagement and development manager of Aberdeen Inspired, said these were just a few of the positive comments the Business Improvement District had received from its levy-payers and other businesses since the return of night buses was announced earlier this week.
“There has been an overwhelming welcome for the return of the night buses, a project which Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to have brought to the table and built consensus for with Aberdeen City Council and First Bus,” she said.
“The festive season is vital for our hospitality sector and the night buses will give so many people the reassurance they can get home safely after enjoying their night on the town, be it at a Christmas night out, an evening with friends or a trip to one of the many pantos that will be taking place in our city theatres.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired,
urged members of the public to take full advantage of the night buses, which will run on Friday night/Saturday morning and Saturday night/Sunday morning from midnight to about 3.30am.
He said: “Many city centre businesses have voiced their fears that people are deterred from spending a night in Aberdeen because of the uncertainty of how they will get home.
“The night buses will go a long way to remove that uncertainty and give people the freedom to come into the Granite City and celebrate the festive season they way they want to.”
Adrian added that Aberdeen Inspired hopes the gift of night buses won’t be just for Christmas.
“We have never made any secret of the fact we would like to see a night bus service all year round so that the benefits they will bring can be enjoyed by both revellers and the hospitality sector 52 weeks a year,” he said.
The provision of night bus services will be reviewed by the city council after this initial trial period.
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.
Full route and timetable information is at Weekend Night Bus Services | Aberdeen City Council