First Aberdeen to scrap three night bus routes by end of the month

Nicola Johnston, Aberdeen Inspired's evening and night time economy manager.

Concerns have been raised for the safety of night-time workers and revellers with the removal of several late bus services throughout the city.

First Aberdeen has announced it is scrapping three of its night buses, while routes or timings will be changed on a further four services.

Late night buses between Northfield and Torry, Holburn Junction and Dyce, and Kincorth and Cove will get the chop next Friday.

The operator says the move is due to “horrendously low” passenger numbers and that some of the routes are being altered to ensure some passengers can still get home safely after dark.

But Ron Plushkis, chairman of Torry Community Council, says it will have a large effect on many of his neighbours.

***Changes to services***
From 26 October, there will be several changes to our night bus services. Visit our website for the full details https://t.co/PHmFPwXieP pic.twitter.com/X9OxjnWVIn

— First Aberdeen (@FirstAberdeen) October 14, 2018

“In Torry we have a lot of people who work overnight, including nurses at the hospital,” he said.

“So this will make it more awkward for them to get to work. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Gordon Graham, who represents Northfield, said the move will also hit those spending a night on the tiles in the city centre.

He said: “It’s disappointing from the point of view of residents who want to go home and will have no option but to get a taxi.

“It will increase the queue for taxis and it’s reducing the opportunity to get home more cheaply.”

However, Nicola Johnson, the evening and night time economy manager for Aberdeen Inspired, has allayed fears.

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She said: “While the night bus services have been refined, there are a large number of transport options still available to the city centre and surrounding areas.

“This streamlining of services will not have a negative impact on the safety of our city centre.”

First Aberdeen operations director David Phillips said: “These services had very low patronage and as a result are unable to cover the cost of operation.

“Therefore, despite every effort to stimulate these routes, the services have now been taken off as of October 26.”

He added: “In the case of the N18, parts of Dyce will now be covered by the N17 service, whilst Danestone will now be covered by the N1 service.”