The Park & Ride declined years ago. The 2008 financial crisis was really the starting point, however there were other factors such as the location and the existence of the Park & Ride at Ellon. The change to the 1B addresses the long standing request for a service to Bridge Of Don Retail Park while also serving the quickly growing housing estate at Murcar, so it makes total sense, especially when you consider its a cost neutral move. It is a shame that they don't use the excessive layover at Dubford to extend the 1B to Whitestripes via Jesmond Drive; this would reinstate some of the much needed links lost when the 8 was axed while also providing new links from Bridge Of Don Retail Park to the residential areas.
I personally think the extra layover on the 1B travelling to Dubford could be utilised via St Machar Dr, Tillydrone Rd, Whitestripes Ave, Middleton park Asda/Jesmond, Greenbrae Dr and so on, I myself don’t really get going to Bridge of Don P&R, only really for a Costa, BnQ and so on..that’s lost on me.
However, there are two other changes to the 1B which are positive and not so positive, so those who used to get on the 1B for work for the factory’s(surrounding Sterling Home) at the bottom of Denmore road have been left out now they have a walk and the payoff for this change to the 1B probably won’t make any positive financial difference for First own endeavour here other than upheaval to those who got this bus from the city centre to the bottom of Denmore Rd.
The positive thing is that they’ve finally realised is that the 1B using Bridge St > Union St going to Dubford is much more straight forward and logical, I’m assuming it will stop at Belmont St now?
It doesn't make any difference to running time so they might as well just have all 13s go along the beach front rather than serving the same bit of road twice.
It'll be interesting to see where the Beach Retail Park timing point is. The location of the current one (the stop outside Dunelm after you double back at the roundabout) is a classic First mess up.
However, driver common sense prevails here, For 5 months now I’ve seen no driver waiting any time next to the Dunelms store, they knowing fine well the opposite side of the road has the Laybuy-style bus stop, therefore obviously not blocking the road when there’s absolutely no need, this being a frankly pathetic timing point decision.
The other issue I take with the 13 now going around the Esplanade is the fact you most likely will now get those at the beach getting priority verses those standing at arguably the busiest stop at Asda, at least having most people actually at Asda ment they lined up in turn, mostly.
That is where the boardroom cluelessness at First is seriously uninformed.
Speak to a manager in Aberdeen(which I had the displeasure of recently) about anything to do with feedback and it’s always(ALWAYS!) about potential for extra revenue not really about making something sensible, straightforward & Logical.
I have no fear in saying that 2 weeks ago was actually my last week in Aberdeen, different city, same story with the company, time came to an end seeing there stupidity in many areas and a singular focus on revenue alone in many cases, I find it incompatible with how I personally see a bus service and how things should be.
The 13 doesn't serve Urquhart Street.
My apologies, Urquhart Rd.
I would like to briefly mention the number 20 timetable being extended to 4am in the morning, I see this is likely because they have now got a few of there own drivers route learned on more routes, this took place a couple of weeks ago, however, it employment but retainment is going to be there biggest challenge, I guarantee it and the management are more or less oblivious to many issues driver feel exist.
There is a paydeal vote due in august I’m sure, most likely this will lead strike action and afterwards likely a fare increases, even then I fear long term they will lose a number of those who have been employed within the last 12 months, going by the general discussion I’ve been able to have with there own employees, disheartenment certainly doesn’t take long to sink in, that’s the biggest thing I’ve noticed after doing this job for roughly 15 yrs.
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