Stagecoach cut Buchan bus services after Council cash budget is slashed
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Stagecoach has announced that there will be timetable changes to some Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire services from Monday June 12 following reductions to council budgets for supported bus services.
Additionally, the revised service X14 (formerly 14) will provide better connections between Kingswells and Aberdeen city centre, including access to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary at peak times.
Following Aberdeen City Council’s decision to reduce funding for supported bus services, careful analysis of customer journey patterns has been completed to ensure the sustainability of the new, more direct route via Lang Stracht and Gallowgate to Broad Street in the heart of the city.
This change will provide another option for commuters using Kingswells Park & Ride, complementing the high-frequency service on routes 4, 5 and 6 (with buses up to every 10 minutes Monday-Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sundays).
In a statement Stagecoach said: "Regrettably, significant reductions to Aberdeenshire Council supported bus service funding has resulted in the change or withdrawal of journeys on a number of services (detailed below).
"Whilst every effort has been made to ensure communities remain connected, it is not financially sustainable to continue operating these journeys without funding support.
"However, Stagecoach is pleased to announce that Sunday services to Braemar on the popular service 201 corridor will be maintained through the summer period, following the removal of local authority funding.
"Recognising the importance of maintaining links to Deeside communities and the growth in tourism to the region, Stagecoach has committed to continue the operation of these journeys until late October, to allow a more in-depth review to take place.
"Customers are encouraged to use the Sunday services during this period, and feedback is gratefully received to allow a comprehensive review to take place."
The new timetables are now available to download below -
X14 (Aberdeen – Kingswells) – Revised route and journey times, with additional connections to Kingswells Park & Ride and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
5A & 6A (Aberdeen – Westhill) – Minor changes as a result of council funding reductions, including the withdrawal of one return journey to Echt in the morning and evening.
7A (Aberdeen – Stonehaven) – Minor revision to journey times, 7A exiting Stonehaven at 0438 now replaced with service 7B at 0437
8A & 8C (Stonehaven town service) – Saturday services removed following the withdrawal of council funding support.
66 (Mintlaw – Peterhead) – Monday to Friday 2000 and 2036 services removed following the withdrawal of council funding support.
272 (Banff – Fraserburgh) – Service will no longer operate following the withdrawal of council funding support.
270 (Fraserburgh – New Pitsligo) – Saturday services removed following the withdrawal of council funding support.
61A (Ellon – Peterhead) – Monday to Friday morning services removed following the withdrawal of council funding support.
74 (Fraserburgh – Rosehearty) – Saturday evening services after 1900 removed following the withdrawal of council funding support.
81 (Peterhead – Boddam) – Monday to Friday early morning and late night journey removed following the withdrawal of council funding support.
69 & 69B (Fraserburgh – Peterhead) – Changes to some journeys following the withdrawal of council funding support.
