Moray m.connect bus service expansion plans get warm welcome
Plans to extend an on-demand bus service have been warmly welcomed.
Moray Council has agreed the expansion of m.connect services in Moray as part of the second phase of the Bus Revolution project.
The Bus Revolution project is part of Moray’s £100 million Growth Deal. The project is funded through £4 million from the Scottish Government and £300,000 from Moray Council.
Bus Revolution aims to improve public transport connectivity across Moray by providing additional public transport services to improve access and use of public transport.
Phase one of the bus revolution project launched in May 2023, extending the operational hours of existing services while introducing a new timetable service, implementing a real time booking and management service, introducing electric vehicles and a revised zonal fare structure.
Phase two sees proposed expansions and changes, to be implemented in spring 2025.
This is set to include the introduction of Saturday services in Buckie and Speyside. Alongside this a full redesign of m.connect timetabled services in Speyside is on the cards offering an increase in frequency of service and improved connectivity to the wider bus and rail network. The central aim is to meet demand in a more inclusive and efficient way.
Meanwhile, an extended bus service from Kingston to Elgin connecting Larch Court, Hamilton Gardens, Morriston Road into the centre of Elgin is planned.
The council also intends to purchase an additional four fully accessible vehicles and expand the EV charging infrastructure for m.connect vehicles.
The move to expand Buckie’s m.connect services was welcomed by local councillor Sonya Warren.
She said: “It's fantastic to see the demand responsive service usage growing in Buckie.
“The usage figures show fantastic uptake in the service. Following on from customer demand and a request from the local community council the Saturday service is being introduced.
“It will provide much needed connectivity for people, especially those that don’t have easy access to the Stagecoach routes. The door-to-door service is easy to book on the app or by phone.”
Moray Council Leader, Councillor Kathleen Robertson, commented: “Since the launch of m.connect we’ve seen strong community support and increase in demand for the service with a 22 per cent rise in passenger journeys over the last year.
“With the proposed expansion as part of phase two we will be able to provide even more opportunity for reliable and sustainable public transport which meets the need of our region’s large rural community.
“I look forward to seeing many more people opting to use this service, which will also help to reduce the environmental impact of transport in the area.”
Chair of Moray Council’s economic development and infrastructure services committee, Councillor Marc Macrae, added: “It’s fantastic to see the proposed expansion plans for the m.connect service.
“These plans will provide greater opportunity for residents throughout Moray to access public transport and continue to reduce travel barriers throughout the region.
“I welcome these proposals and I’m eager to see how the service will continue to grow once phase two is implemented.”
For more information on the m.connect service, visit http://www.moray.gov.uk/
