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Partnership Improves another Bus Corridor

The new buses were officially launched yesterday (Wednesday) in Westhill by Councillor Peter Argyle, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee. Photograph (left to right): Robert Andrew, Regional Director, Stagecoach Scotland, Councillor Cowling, Councillor Argyle and Charlie Mullen, Managing Director, Stagecoach Bluebird.

Stagecoach Bluebird and Aberdeenshire Council have officially launched another quality partnership initiative which will improve transport options for residents of Aberdeenshire. The improved timetables will begin on Monday (18th February) with significant service changes on the Aberdeen - Westhill - Alford corridor:

New service X17 replaces previous routes in the area and will provide a 15 minute weekday service between Elrick, Westhill, Woodend and Aberdeen and improved evening and Sunday services. The current 215 service will also improve to offer a 30 minute weekday frequency between Elrick, Westhill, Foresterhill Hospital and Aberdeen as well as an improved evening and Sunday service with some journeys extending to Alford.

New service X15 has combined previous routes to provide a more direct service from Alford and Dunecht to Aberdeen, with faster journey times. All three services will be operated by low floor, easy access buses.

The improvements are part of a three year initiative undertaken by the Scottish Government, Aberdeenshire Council and Stagecoach Bluebird whereby investment by the partners allows commercial bus services to be improved through public support, with a view to the enhanced services becoming self-sustaining at the end of the project.

Charlie Mullen, Managing Director, Stagecoach Bluebird said: "With improved journey times between Westhill and Aberdeen and a value for money megarider ticket on offer, we anticipate the service changes to be a winner. New timetables, which now include handy route maps, are available on the buses and from Aberdeen bus station."

Announcing the enhanced services, Councillor Peter Argyle, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee, said: "On behalf of Aberdeenshire Council, I welcome the enhanced frequencies between Westhill and Aberdeen, including peak period operation via the expanding Business Parks, the expansion of low floor bus operation, and the reduction in journey times between Alford and Aberdeen.

Through our Local Transport Strategy, Aberdeenshire Council is committed to providing improved, high quality, public transport services across Aberdeenshire in partnership with Stagecoach Bluebird and other transport operators. Many public transport infrastructure improvements have already been implemented by the Council along the corridor, including new solar powered bus shelters, modern bus stop poles, improved roadside publicity, and raised boarding platforms to assist the elderly and mobility impaired.

Through successful joint working, the improvements that the partners are implementing on 18 February, add to existing quality partnership initiatives such as the recently enhanced Banchory/Aberdeen corridor and the award winning Stonehaven/Aberdeen corridor improvements - all aimed at providing a sustainable alternative to the private car, whilst at the same time providing higher quality services for existing bus passengers, addressing two of the Council's main priority areas - sustainability and social inclusion."

Posted: 16 February 2008

Scottish Region News.