Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird and Highland)

Minor Timetable Revisions from 11th February
Stagecoach North Scotland would like to advise customers of updates to timetables in the Moray area from 11th February 2019.

Minor changes have been made to services in Moray as per below.

Remember you can ask us any questions on Twitter @StagecoachNScot

Download the new service 10 timetable

Additional Monday to Thursday school service from Elgin to Forres at 1505.
1555 from Elgin to Inverness retimed to 10 mins later to Inverness. This journey will not serve Tradespark or Inverness Shopping Centre.
Monday – Friday 0715 from Elgin to Fochabers retimed by 2 minutes.



Download the new Elgin City timetable

Service 32 – Minor retiming of Burghead and Elgin departure times by 5 – 10 minutes. School services 132 and 138 withdrawn.

Service 33A/C – Early morning journeys revised to allow connections to Elgin before 0800. Some journeys retimed by 10 minutes.

Service 34 – Some journeys retimed by 10 minutes.

Service 36 – School 136 additional journey added. Additional journey 0845 from Aberlour to Elgin. On weekdays 1530 from Dufftown to Elgin will operate on school holidays only. Additional school journeys from Dufftown to Aberlour and Elgin added.

Service 38 – route revised to no longer serve Pinefield. Removed school 1427 journey from Buckie Tesco to Elgin. Additional time added to improve reliability overall.



Download the new Service 35 timetable

Service 38 revised as per Elgin city guide, removed from service 35 leaflet.



Download the new Service 303/308 timetable

Service 303 at 13:05 from Turriff re-timed to depart at 13:10

Service 308 at 09:20 from Turriff and 12:20 from Inverurie revised to service Meikle Wartle.

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• Service 26: Saturday Journeys Withdrawn
• Service 51: Saturday Journeys Withdrawn
• Service 204: Withdrawn
• Service 231: Non-School Journeys Withdrawn
• Service 253: Withdrawn
• Service 273: Saturday Journeys Withdrawn
• Service 402: Withdrawn
• Service 417: Withdrawn
• Service 777: Withdrawn

Full Details

Service 26 (MW Nicol): Luthermuir / Laurencekirk - Stonehaven

Saturday service withdrawn. No alternatives by bus. Rail service between Laurencekirk and Stonehaven.

Service 51: Fraserburgh - New Pitsligo - Ellon

Saturday service withdrawn. Alternative services provided to and from Fraserburgh (Stagecoach Service 270) or to/from Ellon via Mintlaw (Central Buchan A2B Dial-A-Bus).

Service 66/66A: Stuartfield - Peterhead

2245 hrs from Mintlaw to Peterhead (Saturday) and 2320 hrs from Peterhead to Stuartfield (Saturday) withdrawn. Last bus from Peterhead now departs at 2220 hrs and terminates Mintlaw.

Buchan Xpress 67/68: Aberdeen - Ellon - Fraserburgh

0721 hrs from Mintlaw to Fraserburgh via Strichen (Mon - Fri) withdrawn; No alternatives.

1910 hrs and 2010 hrs from Fraserburgh to Aberdeen via Ellon (Mon - Fri) replaced by one departure at 1940 hrs. 2105 hrs and 2205 hrs from Aberdeen to Fraserburgh via Ellon (Mon - Fri) replaced by one departure at 2135 hrs.

Service 69: Fraserburgh - St Combs

Monday to Friday evening service after 1830 hrs withdrawn; No alternatives.

Service 69B: Fraserburgh - St Fergus - Peterhead
0645 hrs from Fraserburgh to Peterhead (Saturday) withdrawn; No alternatives.

Service 74: Fraserburgh - Rosehearty
Monday to Friday evening service after 1900 hrs withdrawn; No alternatives.

Service 76/77: Fraserburgh Town Service
1805 hrs, 1835 hrs and 2115 hrs from Broad Street (Saturday) return journeys withdrawn. No alternatives.

Service 81: Peterhead - Boddam
0518 hrs from Peterhead to Boddam (Mon - Fri) and 0530 hrs from Boddam to Peterhead (Mon - Fri) withdrawn; No alternatives.

Service 82A: Peterhead - Meethill - Boddam
0730 hrs from Peterhead to Boddam (Saturday) and 0747 hrs from Boddam to Peterhead (Saturday) withdrawn; No alternatives.

Service 84: Peterhead (Middle Grange) Town Service
1853 hrs from Chapel Street (Monday to Friday) and 1850 hrs from Chapel Street (Saturday) return journeys withdrawn.

Royal Deeside 201: Aberdeen - Banchory - Aboyne - Ballater - Braemar
2115 hrs from Aberdeen to Aboyne (Sunday) will terminate in Banchory; Nearest alternative to Aboyne departs Aberdeen 2245 hrs
0745 hrs from Aberdeen to Braemar (Sunday) withdrawn; 0945 hrs, 1345 hrs and 1815 hrs from Aberdeen to Braemar (Sunday) will terminate in Ballater; 2245 hrs from Aberdeen to Ballater (Sunday) will terminate in Banchory; 1025 hrs, 1225 hrs, 1825 hrs and 2035 hrs from Braemar to Aberdeen (Sunday) will commence from Ballater.

Royal Deeside 202: Aberdeen - Banchory - Lumphanan - Aboyne - Ballater

2117 hrs from Aboyne to Torphins on Fridays withdrawn; Nearest alternative from Aboyne to Torphins departs at 2028 hrs.

Service 204: Aberdeen - South Deeside - Banchory - Strachan

Service fully Withdrawn; No alternatives to/from Strachan or via South Deeside Road. There are alternatives between Banchory and Aberdeen via North Deeside Road.

Service 218: Aberdeen - Westhill - Alford

1812 hrs from Alford to Elrick (Mon - Fri) and 1906 hrs from Elrick to Alford (Mon - Fri) journeys, which connect with Service X17 (Elrick - Westhill - Aberdeen), are withdrawn. No alternatives.

Service 231: Alford - Huntly
Monday to Friday service, comprising 4 return journeys, withdrawn; Schoolday return journey departing Alford at 0750 hrs and returning from Huntly at 1552 hrs is unaffected. Reduced inter-peak service to be provided by an A2B dial-a-bus service. 1355 hrs from Alford to Huntly (Saturday) and 1452 hrs from Huntly to Alford (Saturday) withdrawn. There is still a return journey on Saturdays, departing Alford at 0955 hrs and returning from Huntly at 1152 hrs.

Service 253: Turriff - Mintlaw - Fraserburgh
Service fully Withdrawn; Alternative services available, for all intermediate settlements affected, to their nearest market towns.

Service 272: Banff - Fraserburgh
0720 hrs from Fraserburgh to Banff (Mon - Fri) and 1705 hrs from Banff to Fraserburgh (Monday to Friday) withdrawn; No alternatives.

Service 273: Banff - Gardenstown - Fraserburgh
Saturday service, comprising 4 return journeys, withdrawn; No alternatives.

Service 292: Tarves - Ellon
0812 hrs from Tarves to Ellon (Mon - Fri) and 1708 hrs from Ellon to Tarves (Mon to Fri) withdrawn; No alternatives.

Service 301: Macduff - Aberchirder - Huntly
Saturday service, comprising 2 return journeys, withdrawn; Aberchirder has an alternative Saturday service to/from Turriff and Inverurie (Service 308).

Service 308: Inverurie - Rothienorman - Turriff - Aberchirder
1114 hrs from Aberchirder to Inverurie (Mon - Fri), 1310 hrs from Turriff to Inverurie (Mon - Fri), 1011 hrs from Inverurie to Aberchirder (Mon - Fri) and 1357 hrs from Inverurie to Rothienorman (Mon - Fri) withdrawn. Remainder of Monday to Friday service plus Saturday service unaffected.

Service 402/403 (Burns Coaches): Kingseat - Hatton Of Fintray - Inverurie
Thursday Service withdrawn; The Tuesday return journey from Kingseat and Inverurie via Newmachar and Kinmuck is unaffected; A weekly A2B dial-a-bus service has recently been introduced between Hatton of Fintray and Inverurie.

Service 417 (Bain's Coaches): Lumsden - Insch
0640 hrs from Lumsden to Insch (Mon - Fri) and 1803 hrs from Insch to Lumsden (Mon - Fri) withdrawn; No alternatives.

Service 421: Inverurie - Kemnay - Alford
1820 hrs from Alford to Inverurie (Mon - Fri), 1905 hrs from Inverurie to Alford (Mon - Fri), 1845 hrs from Alford to Inverurie (Saturday), 2127 hrs from Inverurie to Kemnay (Saturday), and Sunday service, comprising 3 return journeys, withdrawn; Alternative evening and Sunday services to/from Aberdeen only.

Service 777: Aberdeen Airport - Kingswells - Westhill - Inverurie - Oldmeldrum
Service fully Withdrawn; Alternatives available for the vast majority of passenger journeys currently being undertaken, albeit requiring interchange in some cases.

Insch A2B Dial-A-Bus
Monday to Thursday inter-peak flexible service withdrawn. Insch has alternative Services 41 and 416 to/from Inverurie, 41A to/from Huntly, and 10C to/from Aberdeen. Friday A2B service is continuing.

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Deltic1961 said:

Not really a question about First but why are Aberdeenshire Council subsidising Stagecoach bus routes when the company makes such massive profits?

http://www.originalfm.com/nearly-30...ported-bus-services-to-be-stopped-or-reduced/

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Deltic1961 said:

Why are Aberdeenshire Council subsidising Stagecoach bus routes when the company makes such massive profits?

http://www.originalfm.com/nearly-30...ported-bus-services-to-be-stopped-or-reduced/

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Deltic1961 said:

Why are Aberdeenshire Council subsidising Stagecoach bus routes when the company makes such massive profits?

http://www.originalfm.com/nearly-30...ported-bus-services-to-be-stopped-or-reduced/

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Leather seats, wi-fi and cleaner engines: New £3.5 million bus fleet for north-east routes

Stagecoach North Scotland will use the smart electric-hybrid double-deckers on their 35 service between Aberdeen, Banff and Elgin.

The environmentally friendly vehicles will be based at the company’s Macduff depot and come as part of a multi-million-pound investment by the firm.

It is hoped they will reduce CO2 and NOx emissions in the region when they get on the road in April.

Stagecoach said the additions to their bus fleet will offer passengers low floors for easy accessibility, leather seats, free wi-fi, USB charging points and contactless facilities.

Passengers will also be able to track the vehicles by using the company’s mobile phone app.

The buses have an onboard system called GreenRoad to provide drivers with instant feedback on their driving to improve and promote fuel-efficiency.

Stagecoach’s Macduff depot has previously won the Christopher Ball Memorial Award, which recognises efforts to drive economically.

The hybrid buses will replace the current fleet used on the route and will boost space for passengers by almost 50 per cent.

David Liston, managing director for Stagecoach North Scotland, said the firm was “thrilled” to be able to offer an improved service.

He said the changes will boost punctuality for passengers and as well as cutting down the environmental impact of east-coast travel.

Mr Liston said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be introducing even more new buses for the communities in Aberdeenshire and Moray.

“We know that service 35 is a vital service for the communities we connect and our new fleet will not only reduce the impact of the bus on the environment but they will also allow us to improve our punctuality for customers.

“We will look forward to welcoming everyone on board in April.”

Stagecoach’s Service 35 connects more than 15 towns in Aberdeenshire and Moray to both Elgin and Aberdeen.

The Macduff depot employs 50 drivers who operate a fleet of 27 buses on various routes between Elgin and Aberdeen.

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GregA said:

Are double-decker vehicles really necessary for a rural route like the 35? I used to travel on the 36 and most of the time, I was the only one on the bus. That was just on Saturdays though, would the buses be busier during the week?

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overthewater said:

What about the low floor b8?

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Aberdeenshire Timetable Consultation


As a result of the reduction in Aberdeenshire Council’s supported bus services in Aberdeenshire, we are inviting customers to review our proposed timetables from Tuesday 12th February until 22nd February. All feedback received will be reviewed ahead of the final timetables being submitted for registration. The new timetables are to take effect from Monday 15th April 2019.

A number of journeys and services that are proposed to be withdrawn are as a direct result of the changes proposed by Aberdeenshire Council in line with the reduction in their budget. The changes aren’t all cuts though as we are proposing to introduce a new commuter service that will provide links for those living in Banchory to travel to work in Westhill and Prime Four Monday to Friday.

David Liston, Managing Director for Stagecoach North Scotland said: “We completely understand the pressures that Aberdeenshire Council face with the reduction in their budget. We have worked closely together to identify solutions to minimise the impact of these changes for our customers. Customer comments do help us to ensure we have optimised departure times and routes and would be grateful for all comments by Friday 22ndFebruary 2019.”

Summary of the proposals (any services not listed remain unchanged) –

Download Service X17 (Aberdeen – Westhill) – Monday – Saturday evening frequency reduced from every 20 minutes to every 30 minutes. Weekday 0640 from Aberdeen will terminate at Prime Four. Additional weekday journey at 0631 will operate direct from Aberdeen to Echt.

Download Service 218 (Alford – Westhill) – evening journeys withdrawn at 1812 from Alford to Westhill and 1901 Westhill to Alford.

Download Service 37/X37 (Aberdeen – Inverurie) – various journeys retimed by up to 10 minutes. 4 journeys withdrawn due to low passenger use but current service frequency will remain as per the current timetable.
Monday to Friday - the 1830 service X37 from Aberdeen and 1844 service X37 from Inverurie are to be withdrawn.
Saturday - 1835 service X37 from Aberdeen to be withdrawn.
Sunday - 1530 service from Aberdeen to be withdrawn. 1504 from Inverurie to be withdrawn.

Download Service X20/420 (Aberdeen – Kemnay - Alford) – various journeys retimed by up to 10 minutes. 3 weekend journeys withdrawn.

2145 service from Kemnay withdrawn on Saturdays
0840 service from Aberdeen withdrawn on Sundays
2125 service from Alford withdrawn on Sundays

Download Service 421/422 (Alford to Kemnay/Inverurie) –
Journeys to be withdrawn on service 421 -
Monday to Friday - 1820 from Alford to Inverurie
Monday to Friday - 1905 from Inverurie to Alford
Saturday – 1845 Alford to Inverurie
Saturday – 2127 Inverurie to Kemnay
Sunday service withdrawn on service 421.


Minor changes to journeys on service 422.

Download Service 221 (Kemnay – Inverurie) – minor changes to 2 journeys.

Download Service 231 (Alford – Huntly) – now only school service and one return journey on Saturdays.

Download Service 41 (Inverurie – Insch) – additional journeys added.

Monday – Friday journey added at 1011 from Inverurie to Insch and 1150 from Insch to Inverurie.
Saturday – new journey added 0602 from Insch to Inverurie. New journey added 1946 from Inverurie to Insch.

Download Service 201/202/203 (Aberdeen – Banchory – Braemar) – Updates to the start times of some journeys Monday – Saturday by up to 15 minutes. Sunday service from Ballater to Braemar to be withdrawn. Sunday service to Lumphanan withdrawn due to the current 5 journeys only being used by an average of 3 passengers per day on Sundays. Service 119 will be revised to extend to Aboyne and Ballater offering a new connection direct to Garthdee, Aberdeen.

Service 204 (Aberdeen – Strachan) – service to be withdrawn.

Download *NEW* Service 210 (Deeside – Westhill/Kingswells) – a new commuter service will be introduced from Deeside to Westhill/Kingswells. The service will depart Banchory at 0700 and will serve Echt and Westhill before arriving at Kingswells P&R/Prime Four Business Park at 0800. Return journey departs at 1730 from Kingswells P&R/Prime Four and will arrive in Banchory at 1815.

Download Service 270/271 (Fraserburgh to New Pitsligo and Banff) – journeys retimed by up to 10 minutes.

Download Service 253 (Fraserburgh to Turriff) – journeys to be withdrawn on Tuesdays and Fridays – 0903 Turriff to Fraserburgh and 1320 Fraserburgh to Turriff.

Download Service 272/273 - some journeys withdrawn on 272 – 0720 from Fraserburgh to Macduff and 1705 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh. Saturday service to be withdrawn on service 273.

Download Service 290/291/292 – four journeys withdrawn on service 292 -

0812 and 1801 from Tarves to Ellon to be withdrawn
0752 and 1708 from Ellon to Tarves withdrawn
Additional journey will operate Monday – Friday from Methlick to Aberdeen at 1940.

Download Service 301/308 – Saturday service on service 301 to be withdrawn.
Journeys on service 308 to be withdrawn -
1011 Inverurie to Aberchirder
1114 Aberchirder to Inverurie
1310 Turriff to Inverurie
1357 Inverurie to Rothienorman

Download Service 51 – Monday to Friday journeys retimed by up to 10 minutes. Saturday service to be withdrawn.

Download Service 66 – Three Saturday evening journeys withdrawn –

2200 Peterhead to Mintlaw.
2320 Peterhead to Stuartfield.
2246 Mintlaw to Peterhead.

Download Service 67/68 - Minor revisions to the timetable with reduced evening frequency.
Monday - Friday journeys being withdrawn -
Service from Fraserburgh to Mintlaw at 0648
Service from Ellon to Fraserburgh at 0907 and 1841

Download Service 69 (Fraserburgh – Peterhead) –

Monday – Friday journeys to be withdrawn –
1835, 1940, 2100 and 2205 from Fraserburgh to St Combs
1855, 2000, 2120 and 2225 from St Combs to Fraserburgh
Saturday journeys to be withdrawn -
0600 from Peterehad to Fraserburgh.
Sunday journey to be withdrawn -
0800 form Peterhead to Fraserburgh to be withdrawn.

Download Service 74 (Fraserburgh – New Aberdour/Rosehearty)
Monday – Friday journeys withdrawn -
1620 from Fraserburgh to New Aberdour
1645 from New Aberdour to Fraserburgh
1915, 2030 and 2140 from Fraserburgh to Rosehearty withdrawn
1928, 2043 and 2153 from Rosehearty to Fraserburgh withdrawn

Download Service 76/77 – Saturday evening journeys withdrawn at 1805, 1835 and 2115.

Download Service 81/82 – Two journeys withdrawn on Saturdays – 0518 and 0730 Peterhead to Boddam.

Download Service 84 – 1853 journey Monday – Friday and 1850 journey on Saturday are both withdrawn.

Stagecoach North Scotland is working closely with Aberdeenshire Council to ensure that the changes have a minimal impact on bus users in Aberdeenshire. All feedback is welcomed until Friday 22nd February and can be emailed to [email protected] and [email protected].

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Red Onion said:

Interesting to see the 210 making a comeback of sorts although I really struggled to get my head around the timetable! I’m sure there was a 210 a few years ago that ran from westhill industrial estate to Banchory at peak times but was withdrawn. I’m not sure how this one will fare.

I always wish I’d done a full run of the original 210 when it went Aberdeen to Ballater but alas!

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Jordan Adam said:

Stagecoach invest in 15 brand new electric hybrid double deck buses

Stagecoach North Scotland today announced plans to introduce 15 brand new smart hybrid double deck buses to their fleet in the north-east of Scotland.

The buses mark a £3.5 million investment from Stagecoach North Scotland and will be based at the Macduff depot. The fleet of electric-hybrids will operate on service 35 between Aberdeen, Banff and Elgin. The brand new buses are low floor easy-access and are fully equipped with leather seats, seatbelts, free wi-fi, USB charging points and contactless payment facilities.

The new vehicles are also equipped with the most up to date vehicle tracking system which means passengers will be able to track exactly when their bus will arrive by looking up their bus stop in the 'bus stops nearby' section of the Stagecoach mobile app or by visiting stagecoachbus.com.

For the past 3 years the Stagecoach Macduff depot has been awarded the Christopher Ball Memorial Award for being the best depot in the UK for eco-driving. A system called GreenRoad is installed on all Stagecoach vehicles and uses a traffic-light LED system on the dashboard to give drivers instant feedback on their driving manoeuvres, encouraging smoother, safer, and more fuel-efficient driving.

The 15 brand new electric-hybrids will build on the achievement by the driving team in Macduff and will further reduce the CO2 and NOx emissions in the north east. The fleet will replace the existing coaches used on the route and will provide around 45% more capacity for those travelling on the service. A panoramic view of the Moray Coast will be on offer for those choosing to sit on the upper deck and the lower deck will not only improve the ease of boarding the bus for customers with mobility restrictions but will also reduce boarding times for wheelchair users.

Service 35 is a vital service to the north east connecting more than 15 towns in Aberdeenshire and Moray to both Elgin and Aberdeen. The service operates every 30 minutes between Aberdeen and Banff Monday – Saturday and hourly on Sundays. The service between Banff and Elgin operates every hour Monday – Saturday and every 2 hours on Sundays.

David Liston, Managing Director, Stagecoach North Scotland said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be introducing even more new buses for the communities in Aberdeenshire and Moray. We know that service 35 is a vital service for the communities we connect and our new fleet will not only reduce the impact of the bus on the environment but they will also allow us to improve our punctuality for customers. We will look forward to welcoming everyone on board in April.”

Stagecoach North Scotland has invested £15.5 million in 64 brand new buses in North Scotland in the last 4 years. The 64 buses includes 10 brand new coaches in November 2017 for service 10 Aberdeen – Inverness and 8 brand new low-floor buses for the Inverness airport service 11 in September 2018.

All 15 of the electric hybrid double deck buses are expected to be on the road by April 2019.

Source Link

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GusB said:

"Mare space"? Are they planning to carry horses around? Please tell me that this bit of publicity is simply a draft and hasn't yet been released into the wild!

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Jordan Adam said:

Stagecoach invest in 15 brand new electric hybrid double deck buses

Stagecoach North Scotland today announced plans to introduce 15 brand new smart hybrid double deck buses to their fleet in the north-east of Scotland.

The buses mark a £3.5 million investment from Stagecoach North Scotland and will be based at the Macduff depot. The fleet of electric-hybrids will operate on service 35 between Aberdeen, Banff and Elgin. The brand new buses are low floor easy-access and are fully equipped with leather seats, seatbelts, free wi-fi, USB charging points and contactless payment facilities.

The new vehicles are also equipped with the most up to date vehicle tracking system which means passengers will be able to track exactly when their bus will arrive by looking up their bus stop in the 'bus stops nearby' section of the Stagecoach mobile app or by visiting stagecoachbus.com.

For the past 3 years the Stagecoach Macduff depot has been awarded the Christopher Ball Memorial Award for being the best depot in the UK for eco-driving. A system called GreenRoad is installed on all Stagecoach vehicles and uses a traffic-light LED system on the dashboard to give drivers instant feedback on their driving manoeuvres, encouraging smoother, safer, and more fuel-efficient driving.

The 15 brand new electric-hybrids will build on the achievement by the driving team in Macduff and will further reduce the CO2 and NOx emissions in the north east. The fleet will replace the existing coaches used on the route and will provide around 45% more capacity for those travelling on the service. A panoramic view of the Moray Coast will be on offer for those choosing to sit on the upper deck and the lower deck will not only improve the ease of boarding the bus for customers with mobility restrictions but will also reduce boarding times for wheelchair users.

Service 35 is a vital service to the north east connecting more than 15 towns in Aberdeenshire and Moray to both Elgin and Aberdeen. The service operates every 30 minutes between Aberdeen and Banff Monday – Saturday and hourly on Sundays. The service between Banff and Elgin operates every hour Monday – Saturday and every 2 hours on Sundays.

David Liston, Managing Director, Stagecoach North Scotland said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be introducing even more new buses for the communities in Aberdeenshire and Moray. We know that service 35 is a vital service for the communities we connect and our new fleet will not only reduce the impact of the bus on the environment but they will also allow us to improve our punctuality for customers. We will look forward to welcoming everyone on board in April.”

Stagecoach North Scotland has invested £15.5 million in 64 brand new buses in North Scotland in the last 4 years. The 64 buses includes 10 brand new coaches in November 2017 for service 10 Aberdeen – Inverness and 8 brand new low-floor buses for the Inverness airport service 11 in September 2018.

All 15 of the electric hybrid double deck buses are expected to be on the road by April 2019.

Source Link

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Gingerbus1991 said:

Why put hybrids on a rural route?

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Gingerbus1991 said:

GreenRoad is simply one load of cowpat, drove around edinburgh without it for 8 months and not once did my driving falter, yet workin at stagey n First I was always warned I had a score to high.

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Jordan Adam said:

"Mare" Doric for "more" you should know that :P

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GusB said:

Au contraire: "mair" is the Scots word for "more". That's what made me cringe.

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Jordan Adam said:

Would have thought it was "mare"... But anyway! Yeah it is kind of cringe worthy...

I assume these will be in service in time for the service changes on the 19th of April.

It's suspected that some of the KX61 Panthers will move to Aberdeen to displace the remaining older style Panthers and Profiles, with the rest going to Highlands to displace former D&E stock. This should in theory allow the 201/202 to be almost fully Panther operated.

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mullac30 said:

What will stay from the "new" D&E stock?

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mbonwick said:

Vehicles are the E40D "Smart Hybrids" which is just a standard E40D with a 48V electric motor, some supercapacitors and software to turn off unnecessary ancillaries.

Priority for replacement is B7Rs of all ages, though because of the number of vehicles on loan to cover the D&E work I wouldn't be surprised to see nothing binned for a good few months. How those B7Rs are freed up is open to speculation, and comes down to whether you believe North Scotland is still Highland & Bluebird, or now one entity.

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mbonwick said:

Which comes back to my closing point, North Scotland is still not yet seen as a single entity.

Bluebird are talking about B9R replacement, but Highland are desperate for B7R and D&E replacement...

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overthewater said:

Highland bar Inverness area make no money. Im will be surprised if Wick and Skye are still part of Stagecoach in the years to come.

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