Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird and Highland)

[overthewater]

It seems the old one has been locked?

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/north-scotland/bluebird-timetable-consultation

Looks like improvements Just as cutlock has left..... what are the chances?

We want to hear from you! Customers across Aberdeenshire and Moray now have the opportunity to provide feedback on new bus timetable proposals planned to commence on Monday 12th November 2018.


These proposals include revisions to services to increase capacity on popular journeys as well as changes that are designed to improve journey times for customers. The vast majority of the changes are in preparation of the full opening of the £745million infrastructure investment, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).


The proposed timetables for bus services in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray are all available online now at stagecoachbus.com. Stagecoach is encouraging customers to review the proposals and provide feedback through a series of consultation events taking place until Friday 21st September 2018.


The proposals include -

• New service 747 introducing airport connections from Peterhead, Cruden Bay, Ellon, Kingswells, Stonehaven and Montrose.
• Increased frequency from Ellon Park and Ride to Aberdeen.
• Improved Sunday frequency from Peterhead to Aberdeen with departures up to every 30 minutes.
• Services 54 and 62 in Ellon will combine to become new 54/54X/N54 services.
• Revisions to timetables in Aberdeen city to improve punctuality on service 14 (Kingswells), X17 (Westhill) and 37/X37 (Inverurie).
• New Sunday services for service 14 and 15A in Aberdeen.
• Additional service 10 journey introduced from Huntly to address capacity issues in the morning peak to Aberdeen.
• Additional service 35 journey introduced Monday – Friday from Aberdeen in the PM peak.
• Deveron Community and Sports Centre near Banff Academy introduced to some service 35 journeys.

As part of the proposals a brand new service 747 will be introduced offering a new link across Aberdeenshire and Angus as a result of the AWPR. Once the AWPR is fully opened, the new service will replace services 107 and 747 and will also provide journeys up to every hour between Montrose and Ellon using the AWPR. The service will operate from Montrose to Stonehaven before serving Kingswells Park and Ride and Aberdeen Airport. The service will then continue to Ellon and some journeys will also extend to Cruden Bay and Peterhead. The service will be operated by low-floor easy access buses fitted with the latest tracking technology as well as the ability to accept contactless payments.


Revisions to service 10 and 35 operating from Aberdeen to Moray will benefit from improved journey times as well as additional journeys as peak times providing more capacity for those commuting to Aberdeen. Service 35 will also begin to serve the Deveron Community and Sports Centre on some journeys. This bus connection to the swimming pool, fitness suite, sports courts, running track and climbing wall will mean the Centre is even more accessible for those looking to visit the facility. Some minor revisions have also been made to services 32, 33, 34, 36 and 38 in the Moray area to improve punctuality.


David Liston, Managing Director, Stagecoach North Scotland said: “These proposals are the result of a review of the network following the improvements in infrastructure around Aberdeen. On-going feedback from our customers, staff and local stakeholders has helped shape the proposed network but we are now delighted to share these for further feedback before we finalise our plans for the bus network. The importance of frequent connections between Aberdeen and Buchan is clear and our proposals will maintain this high frequency link north of the city with a series of enhancements to the services to the north.


"Following on from the success of our previous consultations, we are seeking customer feedback on our network in Aberdeenshire and Moray before services are registered. Our Moray bus network has also been influenced by the AWPR as the £745 million project will address congestion in Aberdeen allowing us to introduce revisions to service 35 and 10 operating to/from the city. These revisions have directly influenced onward bus connections in the Elgin local network. Customer comments do help us ensure that we have optimised departure times, routes and addressed as many of our customers wishes as possible. We will be grateful for customers to provide their comments before 21st September 2018."


In addition to online feedback, the company will be holding consultation events to give the opportunity to discuss the proposals with staff.


Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September – At Go North East Road Festival

Monday 10th September – Ellon Park and Ride 0630 – 0930, Fraserburgh Bus Station 1400 – 1600

Tuesday 11th September – Ellon Park and Ride 1430 – 1730, Ellon Parish Church 1800 – 2000

Tuesday 11th September – Moray Transport Forum

Thursday 13th September – Peterhead Interchange 1400 - 1600

Tuesday 18th September – St Giles Centre, Elgin 1430 - 1730


For those unable to attend the above events, the proposed timetables and network maps are now available to view using the links below, all feedback is welcomed to [email protected]. All feedback should be submitted no later than Friday 21st September 2018.



You can download the proposed timetables at the links below. We have also included a summary of the changes to each individual service below the download links, at the bottom of this webpage.



NEW Service 747 Timetable - Montrose - Stonehaven - Kingswells P&R - Aberdeen Airport - Ellon - Cruden Bay - Peterhead

NEW Service 747 Map



Buchan Area Guide from 12th November
(network maps showing the revised routes in Buchan will be available to download on Monday 10th September)


Deeside Guide from 12th November


Inverurie Guide from 12th November


X17 Timetable from 12th November



Service 14/15 from 12th November



Service 10 from 12th November



Service 35 from 12th November



Elgin City Guide from 12th November





Summary of all proposed changes



Service X17 Aberdeen - Elrick
Journey times have been revised on this service to improve service punctuality. On Saturdays, the service will operate every 20 minutes from 1700.

Service 37/X37 Aberdeen - Inverurie
Journey times have been revised on this service to improve punctuality. Bucksburn Police Station has been removed as a timing point to avoid unnecessary waiting. On weekdays the 1830 journey to Inverurie will operate as a faster service X37.

Service 201/202 Aberdeen - Banchory - Braemar
Journey times have been revised on this service to improve service punctuality with additional loading time at the locations where journeys connect. An additional Monday-Friday return journey will operate between Banchory and Torphins. Torphins will also benefit from an additional evening journey into Aberdeen- this follows a request through the Aberdeenshire Bus Forums.

The 1815 journey from Aberdeen-Ballater on Saturdays will be withdrawn. The 1315 journey from Aberdeen to Lumphanan will extend to Ballater.


Service 14 Aberdeen - Kingswells
Journey times will be revised on this service to improve service punctuality. Additionally an hourly service on Sundays will be introduced, following requests from local residents and will be supported by Aberdeen City Council.

Service 15A Aberdeen - Craigiebuckler/Airyhall
Aberdeen City Council will be supporting an hourly evening service on Sundays, following requests from local residents.


Service 54/X54/60/X60/67/X67/68/X68 Aberdeen – Ellon Corridor
The revised operation of the above services will combine to provide a 10 minute frequency in the peaks and a near 20 minute off peak, with a 30 minute evening and Sunday service.

Service 54/N54/60/61/63 Aberdeen – Balmedie Corridor
Service 63 will provide an hourly service between Ellon White Horse and Aberdeen, Service 54 will provide an hourly headway during the busier periods to provide at the peak periods a combined 30 minute frequency.

In the Evening Service 61 will operate hourly through Balmedie Egie Road, on a Sunday Service 60 will also serve Egie Road.

Service 55 Ellon – Modley Avenue
Modley Road diversions to operate independently from Service 54 to allow the service to be operated by a minibus.

Service 62/62A/N62 Aberdeen – Ellon
Service number 62/62A/N62 will be withdrawn but all areas will be covered by services 54/X54/N54.

Service 66/66A Peterhead – Maud
Service retimed to improve links at Mintlaw with the trunks routes to and from Aberdeen.

Service 69/69B Peterhead - Fraserburgh
The 0840 Service 69B from Fraserburgh to Peterhead will be withdrawn.

The 0725 from Fraserburgh to Peterhead retimed to 0715 to allow the overall retiming of Service 66 to improve links at Mintlaw.

Service 81 Peterhead – Boddam
Service 81 from Peterhead and 0813 from Boddam to Peterhead will be withdrawn and replaced by a Service 61A that commences from Cruden Bay and will operate via Boddam.

To allow the above to work the 0711 Service 81 will be retimed to 0700.


Moray


Service 10 Inverness - Elgin - Aberdeen

To provide additional capacity in the morning at Huntly, an additional Service 10C journey will depart Huntly and operate to Aberdeen, the first departure from Inverness will also operate 10 minutes earlier to allow a slightly earlier departure through Huntly. Combined with Service X37 this will provide a 20 minute express service from Inverurie to ARI and Aberdeen between 0939 and 1019.

Additional capacity will also be provided in the afternoon period from ARI between Aberdeen and Inverurie, that will then allow between 1515 and 1615 a 20 minute express frequency between ARI and Inverurie using services 10 and X37.

The 2300 from Aberdeen will now operate at 2320 and on Fridays and Saturdays the last journey will no longer extend through to Huntly.

Following customer comments, the 0740 service 10 from Elgin to Inverness will now start at Fochabers.

Service 32 Elgin - Burghead
The 0855 Burghead to Elgin will be retimed to 0905 on schooldays to improve punctuality.

Service 33A/C Elgin - Lossiemouth
Minor timetable adjustments to improve punctuality.


Service 34 Elgin - South Lesmurdie
Off peak timetable moved 5 minutes later to improve punctuality.

Service 35 Elgin - Macduff - Aberdeen
Timetable revised to improve punctuality as well as:

Additional capacity from ARI in the afternoon through an additional departure added from Aberdeen Bus Station.

The evening timetable from Aberdeen has been amended following feedback from customers and at the Aberdeenshire Bus Forums.

Connections to the new Deveron community and Sports Centre in Banff introduced to some service 35 journeys. In the evenings the Deveron Sports Centre will also be served as a trial.

The last departure from Elgin will now terminate at Findochty.


Service 36 Elgin - Rothes - Dufftown
Moved 5 minutes as a result of the changes to Service 38.

Service 38 Elgin - Buckie Local Service
Timetable moved 5 minutes later to improve the balance of the combined frequency between Elgin and Fochabers as well as Elgin to Buckie.

 

[Jordan Adam]

It seems the old one has been locked?

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/north-scotland/bluebird-timetable-consultation

Looks like improvements Just as cutlock has left..... what are the chances?

Darn you bet me to it!

The 62 being axed is very little of a shock as it's been struggling for quite some time now and there's just not the demand for it.

The improved 54/54A/X54/N54 offers new links to the Bridge Of Don Retail Park and the Bon-Accord Centre in Aberdeen.

The 747 is the biggest shock, i knew they were looking at a route connecting Stonehaven with the Airport, but i honestly didn't expect a route that frequent.

 

[GusB]

All well and good near the largest centre of population, by the looks of things. Meanwhile, oot here in the sticks, my local route has one journey re-timed to improve punctuality but the Mon-Sat service still doesn't operate after 7pm, and the "No Sunday Service" is still glaringly obvious on the proposed timetable. It's a "meh" from me, I'm afraid.

 

[overthewater]

It's a start take a while to undo the mess from cutlock.

 

[GusB]

I've no idea who this Cutlock character is - I'm assuming he's a former MD?

 

[Jordan Adam]

I've no idea who this Cutlock character is - I'm assuming he's a former MD?

Mark Whitelocks who left in June.

 

[overthewater]

He was at Fife he made a right mess, but thankful many of the cuts were rolled back. The problem is he alway goes to far.. he like some kind of mad man.

 

[smtglasgow]

Genuine question. If the man is so ‘bad’, then why has he been continually promoted? Presumably he is managing to get decent financial results out of businesses that might otherwise be struggling? Doesn’t mean that there haven’t been some strange (and potentially damaging) decisions, but for the big groups the numbers trump everything.

But kudos to Stagecoach for trying something new with the 747. Hope they give it time to build up passenger numbers.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Genuine question. If the man is so ‘bad’, then why has he been continually promoted? Presumably he is managing to get decent financial results out of businesses that might otherwise be struggling? Doesn’t mean that there haven’t been some strange (and potentially damaging) decisions, but for the big groups the numbers trump everything.

A very valid point. Are we really saying that someone who has been in Stagecoach for years (as a graduate trainee) has left a trail of destruction and, has not only not been "found out" but has been continually promoted?

 

[overthewater]

No were saying he a Lord Jack Cunningham or Lord Tebet person. Goes in to tidy things up but always goes to far... I fully accept cuts needs to be made in places..

 

[gordonthemoron]

promoted out of harms way?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

promoted out of harms way?

Do you really think that Stagecoach are afraid to sack someone?

 

[Jordan Adam]

With the 747 we need to hope they do what they did with the 727 and get the route well marketed and create demand.

The major flaw with their previous attempts at new routes has been lazy marketing (X18 for example), they branded two buses, but the branding didn't stand out, nor did they market it in any way.

When the 727 started Stagecoach managed to create a "buzz" around the route and they attracted lots of passengers. To the point where it's went from Every 30 minutes operated by small Versa's in 2011 to a very popular service on a 10 minute frequency with Enviro400s.

Ellon Park & Ride does see a drop in buses, but i'd say the new set up with the 54 not being integrated in to the 60/67/68 meets demand better. The 62 was poorly used because people prefer the Interdecks on the 60/67/68, but the low floor link was still required. So this is a good alternative.

Believe it or not the introduction of the new 747 only actually see's a PVR increase of 1 bus, despite the route requiring 5 buses.
2 buses are saved by replacing the 107, the current 747 uses a 3rd bus, then the 4th bus comes from merging the 54 and 62.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The new Enviro200s for the 10 (Inverness - Elgin short workings) and 11 were launched yesterday, all are to be on the road by the end of the month.

There's a photo of one of them on the site page. It's interesting to note they've chosen not to go with the JET brand.

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/news/...-in-new-low-floor-buses-for-inverness-airport

Stagecoach invest in new low floor buses for Inverness Airport

Stagecoach North Scotland has launched a fleet of 8 brand new low floor buses that are to operate between Inverness and Elgin.

The buses mark a £1.1 million investment from Stagecoach North Scotland. The new buses will operate on the existing service 11 between Inverness and Inverness Airport as well as service 10 between Inverness and Elgin. The brand new buses boast leather seats, luggage racks, free wi-fi, and USB charging points.

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.

Service 11 carries over 250,000 passengers each year and is a vital transport link for commuters as well as those travelling to Inverness Airport. The new buses will transform the experience of taking the bus to the airport as bespoke luggage racks have been designed to accommodate those travelling with suitcases. Service 11 connects Inverness to Inverness Airport up to every 30 minutes and also extends to Nairn where it connects with service 10 to Elgin and Aberdeen. In August 2018 the service was revised to serve the new housing development at Tornagrain.

Service 10 operates from Inverness to Aberdeen and in November 2017 the company spent £2.85 million upgrading the coaches on this route. At that time the timetable was enhanced on the section of route between Inverness and Elgin to provide more service 10 journeys and 5 of the brand new low floor easy access buses unveiled today will operate on service 10 between Elgin and Inverness.

One of the new buses was unveiled at Inverness Airport by David Liston, Managing Director for Stagecoach North Scotland with the deputy Lord Provost of Inverness, Coullior Bet McAllister.

David Liston, Managing Director, Stagecoach North Scotland said: “This investment is all about delivering better bus services in our area. We are committed to encourage more people to travel by bus and the new fleet will bring our investment in Moray and the Highlands to £3.85 million in brand new vehicles in the past 12 months.”

“We are delighted to be working with Inverness Airport to launch our new fleet and will continue to work together to encourage people to connect to the airport by bus ensuring our bus timetables are designed around the most popular flight arrival and departure times.”

The new vehicles are also Euro VI compliant which continues work to reduce the impact of the bus on the environment as well as improving air quality.

All 8 buses are expected to be on the road by the end of September with the first two buses in service later next week (week commencing 10th Sept).

 

[cf111]

There aren't that many "Jet" branded buses going around from what I can see, it's normally just whatever turns up with an "11" on the front.

Inverness airport is doing well at the moment so it's good to see some more investment in the transport links out to Dalcross. Hopefully the railway station isn't too far away!

 

[Jordan Adam]

There aren't that many "Jet" branded buses going around from what I can see, it's normally just whatever turns up with an "11" on the front.

Inverness airport is doing well at the moment so it's good to see some more investment in the transport links out to Dalcross. Hopefully the railway station isn't too far away!

Most of the JET vehicles up near Inverness were repainted a while back in to Beachball.

But Aberdeen and Kirkwall Airport services also operated by NScot both use the JET brand. The Solo for the Orkney service has just returned from Repaint.

I think part of the reason they didn't go with the JET brand is because some of the buses will also be used on the 10. So it means they can use the unbranded E200s on both the 10 and 11. Rather than having Beachball examples restricted to the 10 and JET examples restricted to the 11.

 

[cf111]

Most of the JET vehicles up near Inverness were repainted a while back in to Beachball.

But Aberdeen and Kirkwall Airport services also operated by NScot both use the JET brand. The Solo for the Orkney service has just returned from Repaint.

I think part of the reason they didn't go with the JET brand is because some of the buses will also be used on the 10. So it means they can use the unbranded E200s on both the 10 and 11. Rather than having Beachball examples restricted to the 10 and JET examples restricted to the 11.

Sounds sensible, I had forgotten completely about the shiny new purple double-deckers in Aberdeen for the airport - not been out that way in a while!

Funny you should mention the Kirkwall bus, I saw it in Thurso a couple of weeks ago so maybe that was it heading back to the ferry.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Sounds sensible, I had forgotten completely about the shiny new purple double-deckers in Aberdeen for the airport - not been out that way in a while!

Funny you should mention the Kirkwall bus, I saw it in Thurso a couple of weeks ago so maybe that was it heading back to the ferry.

Yea it would have been, following "MushroomGate" earlier in the year Stagecoach have been told to clean up their act. As such many of the buses on Orkney came on to the Mainland to get repainted and refurbished. (There was a day where 8 vehicles came off a Ferry at Aberdeen). There was also a number of older vehicles taken off the road by VOSA.

The Solo (which had not had a repaint since it's Rapsons days) went to Inverness for repaint i believe.

The Enviro400s on the JET727 in Aberdeen which believe it or not are now over 2 years old, are currently being plagued by unreliability. 10530/32 in particular are having electrical issues.

I'm hoping now that Mark Cutlocks (Whitelocks) has left the post of MD we'll see improvements across the board.

 

[GusB]

This is definitely welcome news. I've been using the 11 quite a lot lately (the extension to Nairn Lochloy is very useful), and the condition of some of the current vehicles is questionable, particularly one or two of the deckers! I won't be in a hurry to use them on the short 10 workings, though. I'd rather wait the extra 30 mins for a proper coach.

 

[Jordan Adam]

This is definitely welcome news. I've been using the 11 quite a lot lately (the extension to Nairn Lochloy is very useful), and the condition of some of the current vehicles is questionable, particularly one or two of the deckers! I won't be in a hurry to use them on the short 10 workings, though. I'd rather wait the extra 30 mins for a proper coach.

I wish the 10 short workings would use a different number. Perhaps combine them with the 38 (Buckie Local) to provide a through link. As you'll understand it's unrealistic to expect a coach on a service that only goes from Elgin to Inverness.

I think in the future if the 10 was every to go half hourly end to end (It's long over due), the 37 (Aberdeen - Inverurie) would be axed in favour of the 10B.

 

[GusB]

I wish the 10 short workings would use a different number. Perhaps combine them with the 38 (Buckie Local) to provide a through link. As you'll understand it's unrealistic to expect a coach on a service that only goes from Elgin to Inverness.

I think in the future if the 10 was every to go half hourly end to end (It's long over due), the 37 (Aberdeen - Inverurie) would be axed in favour of the 10B.

It would certainly be useful if there was some differentiation between the service numbers. As I understand it, the 10 heading west from Elgin just after the hour comes from Aberdeen (usually one of the new Elites). The one just after the half-hour is usually an E300, but I've often had one of the older Panthers. The guarantee of a comfy seat is enough, but knowing that there's wifi and charging points makes the decision that bit easier.

There was a brief period when the then 305 was extended to Inverness, and combined with the 10 to give a fairly useful 20-minute daytime frequency between Elgin and Inverness. Actually, it's much further back than I'd realised - 55 plate B7s were the order of the day. I don't know how long that situation remained, as late finishing times at work in Forres meant that buying a car was the best option for me.

 

[Jordan Adam]

It would certainly be useful if there was some differentiation between the service numbers. As I understand it, the 10 heading west from Elgin just after the hour comes from Aberdeen (usually one of the new Elites). The one just after the half-hour is usually an E300, but I've often had one of the older Panthers. The guarantee of a comfy seat is enough, but knowing that there's wifi and charging points makes the decision that bit easier.

There was a brief period when the then 305 was extended to Inverness, and combined with the 10 to give a fairly useful 20-minute daytime frequency between Elgin and Inverness. Actually, it's much further back than I'd realised - 55 plate B7s were the order of the day. I don't know how long that situation remained, as late finishing times at work in Forres meant that buying a car was the best option for me.

The 10 short workings in theory just use what every Elgin/Inverness have available.

The 305 was extended to Inverness for quite a long period. I'm not sure on the exact date it was extended but it was pre 2004. In 2012 it then became the 35/35A, with the Inverness extension being axed in the May 2014 changes.

 

[GusB]

The 10 short workings in theory just use what every Elgin/Inverness have available.

The 305 was extended to Inverness for quite a long period. I'm not sure on the exact date it was extended but it was pre 2004. In 2012 it then became the 35/35A, with the Inverness extension being axed in the May 2014 changes.

I hadn't realised it had run for that long - I'm assuming there weren't enough through passengers from the coast to warrant keeping the extension going.

Bit of a historical question: does anyone recall the Buchan Highlander? I can't remember which service number it ran under, but I believe it originated in either Fraserburgh or Peterhead and ran right through to Inverness via the coast. I can't remember exactly when it ran, but I was in secondary school, so I'm guessing some time between 1986 and 1990. Vehicles carried a painted nameboard inside the windscreen. I thought that Google might at least have turned up a photo, but I've been unable to find anything.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I hadn't realised it had run for that long - I'm assuming there weren't enough through passengers from the coast to warrant keeping the extension going.

Bit of a historical question: does anyone recall the Buchan Highlander? I can't remember which service number it ran under, but I believe it originated in either Fraserburgh or Peterhead and ran right through to Inverness via the coast. I can't remember exactly when it ran, but I was in secondary school, so I'm guessing some time between 1986 and 1990. Vehicles carried a painted nameboard inside the windscreen. I thought that Google might at least have turned up a photo, but I've been unable to find anything.

I think the reason for the withdrawal was more operational issues due to the length rather than a lack of demand (A round trip was over 12 hours!). The reason why i think this is because when the service was cut to Elgin they increased the Banff - Elgin section to half hourly. Then the power of Whitelocks came in and cut the route frequency end to end by 50%. With the Buckie service, having it only go to Elgin means they can use smaller buses on it.

On the topic of the 35, reliability on it is shockingly bad. Probably one of the most unreliable services in Scotland.

I've never heard of the Buchan Highlander, i've had a look on my Northern Scottish route map from 1978 and it's not on there, but i'll look in to it.

 

[overthewater]

How did the consultation go?

 

[Jordan Adam]

How did the consultation go?

The revised timetables will be out on the 22nd of October.

I doubt there will be any back lash as the only reduction is the axe of the hourly 62 with the 2-hourly 54 in it's place. As i think i've mentioned before this change is quite logical as numbers on the 62 are low. The only place that would see any massive reduction would be Balmedie, but it's proposed the 63 would also serve it. So the issue is resolved.

 

[cf111]

I see the X99 has some different coaches. I'm no good with identifying buses but they look to be double deckers and from the Borders because I could make out where they have tried to peel off "Dumfries" on the side!

 

[Jordan Adam]

I see the X99 has some different coaches. I'm no good with identifying buses but they look to be double deckers and from the Borders because I could make out where they have tried to peel off "Dumfries" on the side!

That will be Plaxton Interdeck 54210.

 

[Volvodart]

Stagecoach North Scotland today confirmed plans to expand its Inverness bus operations through the proposed acquisition of certain assets from D&E Coaches.

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/news/...nces-plans-to-expand-inverness-bus-operations

Stagecoach announces plans to expand Inverness bus operations
02 Nov 2018

·Company confirms plans to acquire a number of vehicles and Highland Council tenders and contracts from D&E Coaches
· This is allowing enhancements to the existing Stagecoach network
· Brand new service 9 introducing new cross-city bus connections
· Proposed peak bus service from Culbokie to Inverness
· Improvements to evening services to Beauly and Muir of Ord
· Public consultation on proposals to begin on 5 November

Stagecoach North Scotland today confirmed plans to expand its Inverness bus operations through the proposed acquisition of certain assets from D&E Coaches.

The expansion to the Stagecoach North Scotland business is to be confirmed by the end of 2018 with the introduction of the new and extended bus network in Inverness expected to begin operation on 7th January 2019. The assets acquired would include a number of vehicles and the transfer to Stagecoach of certain Highland Council tenders and contracts around Inverness and the Black Isle. 20 staff from D&E Coaches are also due to transfer to Stagecoach under TUPE arrangements.

The transfer of these routes to Stagecoach will bring new benefits for customers including the introduction of contactless payments on board every bus as well as live bus tracking via the Stagecoach app.

Working closely with the Highland Council, the local bus operator has reviewed the bus network analysing commercially operated services as well as Highland Council supported services to deliver better value to the local authority for their investment in the local bus network. The proposed changes are designed to reflect customer demand and will ensure a sustainable bus network is in place across Inverness and the Highlands.

Proposals include -

· New service 9 operating Monday – Saturday connecting Kinmylies and Holm Mills to Culduthel, Raigmore, UHI and Inverness Shopping Park. Service 9 will be the first Stagecoach bus service to use the West Link Road providing more attractive journey times for those crossing the city by bus.
· Additional service from the city centre to UHI and Raigmore as service 2U.
· Additional frequency from Culloden to UHI.
· Hourly service for Lochardil incorporating school journeys for Inverness Royal Academy.
· Peak bus service from Culbokie to Inverness on service 22.
· Extensions to Yairs View estate in North Kessock using low-floor buses on most journeys.
· Improved evening service to Beauly and Muir of Ord.
· Merkinch and Raigmore Estate services to increase in frequency from up to every 45 minutes to up to every 30 minutes.
· Bus service for scholars travelling from Evanton to Dingwall.
· Service to Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club on home match days.

Stagecoach is inviting opinions from the local communities in Inverness and the Highlands through a public consultation that is due to take place from 5th November until 16th November. The consultation will follow on from the success of the Caithness network consultation earlier this year where locals have been able to influence the proposals ahead of the plans being finalised.

All proposed timetables and the new network map will be available to download from Monday 5th November. Feedback can be given digitally at stagecoachbus.com, via email to [email protected], by post or alternatively there is the opportunity to discuss the proposals directly with staff at Inverness bus station on Monday 12th November from 1030 - 1630. All feedback received will be reviewed ahead of the proposals being finalised for completing the official registration process with the Traffic Commissioner.

David Liston, Managing Director, Stagecoach North Scotland said: “This acquisition will allow us to further expand our successful bus operations in the north of Scotland where we currently employ around 850 staff and operate around 350 vehicles. We have a strong track record in the region of attracting more people to bus travel and we will continue to focus on providing good value, high-quality bus travel for people in the area. The expansion will bring a host of new benefits to those travelling by bus and address a few of the issues we have been faced with. We are particularly pleased to be able to include the proposed commuter bus service from Culbokie to Inverness in line with customer feedback already received.

“Customer comments do help us to ensure we have optimised departure times and routes and would be grateful for all comments by Friday 16th November.”

The public timetable consultation will be open from 5th November until 16th November 2018 and full details will be available at stagecoachbus.com. Information will also be available at Inverness bus station from the same date.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The Network consultation from the 7th of January for Highland has opened. Lots of improvements overall from what i see. Additional services and in general better integration.

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/north-scotland/highland-timetable-consultation

Highland Timetable Consultation

From Monday 5th November until Friday 16th November we’d like to hear from you! We plan to expand our Inverness bus operations through the acquisition of certain assets from D&E Coaches. The introduction of the new and extended bus network in Inverness will begin operation on 7thJanuary 2019.


We have worked closely with the Highland Council to review the bus network analysing commercially operated services as well as Highland Council supported services to deliver better value to the local authority for their investment in the local bus network. The proposed changes are designed to reflect customer demand and will ensure a sustainable bus network is in place across Inverness and the Highlands.


Proposals include -

• New service 9 operating Monday – Saturday connecting Kinmylies and Holm Mills to Culduthel, Raigmore, UHI and Inverness Shopping Park.Service 9 will be the first Stagecoach bus service to use the West Link Road providing more attractive journey times for those crossing the city by bus.
• Additional service from the city centre to UHI and Raigmore as service 2U.
• Additional frequency from Culloden to UHI.
• Hourly service for Lochardil incorporating school journeys for Inverness Royal Academy.
• Peak bus service from Culbokie to Inverness on service 22.
• Extensions to Yairs View estate in North Kessock using low-floor buses on most journeys.
• Improved evening service to Beauly and Muir of Ord.
• Merkinch and Raigmore Estate services to increase in frequency from up to every 45 minutes to up to every 30 minutes.
• Bus service for scholars travelling from Evanton to Dingwall.
• Service to Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club on home match days.

All proposed timetables are available to download from the links below. Feedback can be given via email to [email protected], by post to Inverness Bus Station marked FAO Timetable Consultation or alternatively there is the opportunity to discuss the proposals directly with staff at Inverness bus station on Monday 12th November from 1030 - 1630. All feedback received will be reviewed ahead of the proposals being finalised for completing the official registration process with the Traffic Commissioner. Following the consultation, the final timetables will be available to download from Monday 17th December and printed copies will be available in the Travel Shop between Christmas and New Year.


Inverness city services 1-9

Inverness and Nairn - service 11 and 20

Inverness to Foyers/Whitebridge/Drumnadrochit/Tomich – service 14 – 18

Inverness to Black Isle – service 21 – 30

Inverness to Ullapool and Tain – Helmsdale – service 61 – 66

Schools services


**Network maps will be available no later than Friday 9th November**

The below table lists the bus services proposed to be revised from 7th January 2019. Any Stagecoach services not listed below will continue to their current timetable from 7th January 2019.



1/A/B/C: City - Culduthel Farm
Many buses on Service 1 will extend from Culduthel Farm to Holm Dell Road. No changes to other sections of route.

2, 2A, 2D: Dalneigh - Woodside Village
Service extended to Smithton and Culloden. A combined 10 minute frequency will be maintained from City - Raigmore Hospital and UHI

2U: City - UHI
Minor changes incorporating additional buses between Westhill and Culloden Academy

3, 3A, 3D: Craig Dunain - Culloden
A combined 10 minute frequency will be maintained from City - Raigmore Hospital and UHI.

4: Highfield - Milton Of Leys
Minor changes made.

4S: City - Balnacraig Road - McEwan Court
Former D&E Service 100: Revised timetable

4S: City - Scorguie Overton Avenue
Former D&E Service 103: Revised timetable

5: City - Culloden - Ardesier/Croy
Additional Monday to Friday and Saturday buses will be introduced between Inverness and Croy replacing D&E contract buses.

6: City - Holm Park - Ness Castle - Lochardil
This service will replace D&E Services 107, 109. We will operate two services: Service 6 City - Holm Park - Ness Castle and Service 7 City - Lochardil - Ness Castle. For most of the shopping day Ness Castle will be served by a bus every 30 minutes.

7: City - Lochardil - Ness Castle
This service will replace D&E Services 107, 109. Service 7 City - Lochardil - Ness Castle and will operate on an hourly basis At school times, Lochardil will continue to be served by the Whitebridge bus.

8: Raigmore Estate - South Kessock
Raigmore Estate will be increased in frequency to every 30 minutes in the off peak. Similarly South Kessock will increase in frequency to every 30 minutes in the off peak.

9: Kinmylies - Culduthel Farm - UHI and Raigmore Hospital
This new service will provide a direct link service from the Kinmylies area across the new Holm Mills Bridge to serve Holm Park Tesco, Culduthel Farm, ASDA together with UHI Campus, Raigmore Hospital and Inverness Shopping Park.

11, 11A, 11U: Inverness - Inverbess Airport - Nairn [Lochloy]
Minor alterations will be made to this service.

14: Inverness - Whitebridge
Former D&E Service 301/303: No significant changes to this service.

16: Inverness - Foyers
Former D&E Service 302: No significant changes to this service

17: Inverness - Tomich
Former D&E Service 304 incorporated into our existing Service 17. Minor changes to the timetable.

18: Inverness - Hughton
Former D&E Service 307: School buses from Charleston Academy to Hughton and Foxhole incorporated into this service.

20: Nairn Town Service
Former D&E Service 20: No significant changes to this service

T20: Nairn Dial A Bus
Former D&E Service T14: No significant changes to this service

21: Dingwall - Culbokie - Cromarty
Former D&E Service 405: No significant changes to this service

21A: Dingwall- Tore - Cromarty
Former D&E Service 405: No significant changes to this service

22: Inverness - Culbkie
Former D&E Service 405: No significant changes to the D&E trips, however buses will be introduced between Cukbokie and Inverness in the peak.

23: Inverness - North Kessock
This service will be revised to include theYairs Rise development in North Kessock. Most trips will be operated by Low Floor Buses

25: Inverness - Tain via Dingwall
Timetable retimed with no alteration to frequency.The D&E Conon Bridge - Dingwall Academy bus will be incorporated into this service. Experimental buses will be introduced between Dingwall and Evanton to provide a facility for out of area scholars attending Dingwall Academy. A 30 minute frequency between Inverness and Dingwall will operate during the off peak.

125: Inverness - Conon Bridge - Dingwall Academy
This school service is incorporated into Service 25

26/A/C/U: Inverness - Cromarty
The late evening D&E contract between Inverness and Cromarty will be incorporated into this service.

26F: Bus Station - Caledonian Thistle Stadium [Football Match Days only]
Former D&E Service 300E: This service which provides a match day link between Inverness City Centre and Calaedonian Stadium will continue unaltered.

27,27D: Inverness - Contin
Timetable revised. 30 minute frequency maintained.

28/A/D: Inverness - Dingwall
Minor changes to this service.

29: Tain - Nigg Circular
Minor changes to this service.

61: Inverness - Ullapool
Former D&E Service 61: Minor changes made to timetable.

62: Tain -Lairg
Minor alteration to this service.

66: Lairg - Helmsdale
Former D&E Service 906: Minor changes to timetable.

112: Inverness - Tomatin
Service renumbered 134.

113: Inverness - Coignashee
Service renumbered 135. Extensions from Strathdearn School - Distillery withdrawn.

113: Inverness - Cawdor - Nairn
Former D&E Service 252: No significant changes to this service.

130: Invergordon - Tain via Arabella
This is former Service 125 renumbered.

163: Tain Schools - Scotsburn
This is Service 161 renumbered 163.

167: Lairg - Dornoch
Minor alteration to this service.