Pedestrians and cyclists add up to smarter choices

Residents may have noticed a number of units appearing beside walk/cycle paths in Westhill.  These units house new pedestrian and cycle counters which Aberdeenshire Council are installing as part of the monitoring and evaluation requirements relating to the funding awarded through the ‘Community Links’ and’ Smarter Choices, Smarter Places’ schemes.

The purpose of these counters is to monitor the number of pedestrians and cyclists using the local infrastructure as part of the Council’s ‘Integrated Travel Towns’ project. More information can be found in the minutes of the Infrastructure Services Committee held on 19th March 2015, under Item 8, “Aberdeenshire Smarter Choices Smarter Places and Community Links Funding 2015/16”. (see here)

 

Local residents meet with transport bosses

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Garioch Bus Forum Meeting – 29th April 2015

This was a well attended meeting which ran way over time due to the amount of questions and issues raised from the floor.

Stagecoach and Aberdeenshire Council officers gave a general update before moving on to an open discussion on area-based issues.

I have been pushing Aberdeen City on moving forward with improvements on the Kingswells Park & Ride – as has Stagecoach themselves and Aberdeenshire Council officers. This will facilitate more services within the Park & Ride and allow services such as X17 to link in to other routes for example to the airport. Aberdeen City Council have had funding for this for some time but only granted themselves planning permission in March to carry out the improvements. It is now hoped completion will be in September. Following the Westhill bus consultation last year, Steve Walker of Stagecoach confirmed that he hopes to be in touch with local community councils in the very near future to feedback the outcome of that consultation. Some of the issues I was asked from local residents to raise included:

  1. Expanding the X17 to serve the top end of Westhill Drive, i.e. Hilltop Turning Circle.
  2. Pass on appreciation of the A2B dial-a-bus service. It is a lifeline to many residents in the community and the drivers are highly praised and valued for the excellent service they provide.
  3. Improved service to include Kirkton of Skene/Broadshade/business park.
  4. Update on the new Echt to Westhill service.

Items 1, 3 and 4 will be included in the discussions between local community councils and Stagecoach as mentioned above.

Due to previous requests, it is hoped that Westhill will now be included in the multi-operator ticket discount zone. More details to follow.

Stagecoach wants your views on Westhill bus service

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Stagecoach Bluebird are currently consulting the public on the development of a redesigned bus network that will service the growing community of Westhill.

Claire Burt, Marketing Manager of Stagecoach Bluebird said: “We are particularly keen to speak to people in Westhill in order to gather the ingredients to create a menu for a new Westhill Bluebird bus network. The consultation period begins on Friday 3rd October and will run until Friday 31st October 2014.”

Stagecoach Bluebird are keen to hear the views and opinions of both bus users and non-bus users to establish what is required. All community groups, businesses and local residents are being invited to participate in the planning process and are encouraged to complete the consultation survey at:
www.stagecoachbus.com/westhillnetwork.aspx

As a token of appreciation, Stagecoach Bluebird will be choosing three lucky survey participants at random in a prize draw, who will each win: · A 13 week, zone 2 Megarider (worth £221)

Interested parties are also encouraged to email Stagecoach Bluebird at: westhill.network@stagecoachbus.com with their ideas, suggestions and comments regarding the Westhill bus network.

Bus issues raised at local forum

 

I attended the bus forum last week. Westhill and District issues raised included the shortage of designated parking places in Westhill for rural residents coming in to the town to catch the bus to Aberdeen. Stagecoach are to be consulting with residents soon as to what they want/need in terms of improved services. The council are already undertaking a large piece of work to develop a Masterplan including transport options. The link road that is required to improve service interchange at Kingswells Park and Ride has been held up by Aberdeen City Council and it is thought that it will not be progressed until Spring 2015. I have written to Aberdeen City for some more background information and to see if this can be brought forward. I also suggested that a representative from Aberdeen City be invited to the next bus forum as hold-ups in the city due to inadequate traffic management is sometimes having a knock-on effect on our services in Aberdeenshire.

Garioch Bus Forum

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The next meeting of the Garioch Area Bus Forum will be held  7.30 pm – 9.00 pm on Tuesday 2nd September 2014 in the Village Hall (Friendship Room), Aquithie Road, Kemnay.

If you cannot attend, please feel free to email me with any specific local bus issues.

The Minutes of the last meeting can be found here

X17 bus service revision

SERVICE REVISION

 

1.         Service:                                             X17

2.         Route:                                               Aberdeen – Westhill – Elrick

3.         Operator:                                          Stagecoach Bluebird

4.         Implementation Date:                    5th May 2014

5.         Service Revisions

 5.1             Journey Withdrawals

 i)          2240 hours, 2310 hours and 2345 hours ex Aberdeen – Elrick – Aberdeen return journeys (Monday – Saturday) are replaced by departures at 2255 hours and 2325 hours.              

 5.2       Additional Journeys           

 i)          0600 ex Aberdeen – Elrick – Aberdeen return journey (Saturday).

 ii)         The service frequency on Saturdays between 0730 hours and 0830 hours is increased from 20 minutes to 15 minutes

 iii)        The service frequency on Sundays between 0830 hours and 1750 hours is increased from 30 minutes to 20 minutes.

 5.3       Additional stops at Arnhall Business Park

 i)          Ex Aberdeen – Arnhall Business Park

 Monday to Friday: 0825 hrs

Saturday: 0700 hrs, 0730 hrs, 0745 hrs, 0800 hrs, 0815 hrs and 0830 hrs.

 ii)         Ex Arnhall Business Park – Aberdeen

             Monday to Friday: 1637 hrs and 1647 hrs

Saturday: 1619 hrs, 1631 hrs, 1641 hrs, 1651 hrs, 1707 hrs, 1717 hrs, 1727 hrs, 1737 hrs, 1747 hrs and 1802 hrs.

 

Westhill, Garlogie and Kirkton of Skene to benefit from additional A2B services on Saturdays

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In order to cope with passenger demand the popular Westhill A2B dial-a-bus service is being extended to offer a Saturday service starting on 8 March 2014. On Saturdays the bus will operate within the Westhill area between 0930 hrs and 1400 hrs providing shopping trips within Westhill as well as connections for onward travel into Aberdeen. All Saturday trips need to be pre-booked at least the day before by calling the A2B booking line on 01224 665599.

Westhill A2B is operated by Stagecoach Bluebird and is open to any member of the general public. It is most popular with older residents and people with mobility issues who are able to benefit from the door-to-door service that is provided. All A2B dial-a-bus services are operated by wheelchair-accessible vehicles and I’m pleased to advise that the old Westhill bus was recently replaced by a brand-new Optare Solo.

Cllr Iris Walker commented “I am delighted that Abedeenshire Council and Stagecoach, in partnership, are providing this additional service. I know many residents within the area, including elderly passengers and those in more rural areas use the A2B service and will welcome the Saturday service to enable them to get around”.

A copy of the Westhill A2B leaflet is attached

A2B4 Westhill

 

Stagecoach North Scotland seek customer comments for timetable proposals

Stagecoach are appealing to customers across the North East and Highlands of Scotland to comment on new bus timetable proposals to commence 5th May 2014.

Stagecoach Bluebird and Stagecoach in the Highlands have carried out extensive monitoring of the routes within the network of services, particularly during peak time traffic and have been working on changes to the routes to improve reliability.  

The company have put together proposed services for the network and are now asking customers to have a look at the proposals and share their thoughts, whether in support of the revisions or any concerns accordingly.

Steve Walker, Managing Director, Stagecoach North Scotland said: “Our monitoring has shown that some of the routes in this area would benefit from these proposed timetable changes to increase journey reliability above all else, so it’s important we get these changes right.

“Our commercial team have put together proposed timetables which we believe will improve our service offerings, all within a realistic level of service provision relative to the demand we see in certain areas.  We’re asking our customers and indeed prospective customers to let us know what they think, so we can take any comments. The proposed timetables are an outline with the details of the changes available to view at website: www.stagecoachbus.com/HIghlands and Bluebird timetable review.aspx
Customers can view the draft timetables, emailing comments directly to Stagecoach for consideration at bluebird.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com or highland.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com  Stagecoach ask emails have the subject line of ‘Timetable Consultations’ to ensure all comments are considered.
 
In addition, the company are holding eleven consultation events in the area, inviting customers to come along, to view the timetables and speak to local staffts on board and make any amendments where possible.”

Your nearest meeting is on Monday 17th February 2014 from 1700-1900hrs in Ashdale Hall, Westhill

At the events customers will be able to pass on their feedback and gain answers to any questions regarding the proposed schedules.

Mr Walker added: “It’s always difficult to please everyone with network changes such as these, so we want to be able to explain the proposed changes and the benefits it can bring to certain areas, particularly where services will be altered – we hope the events will be well attended by bus passengers.”

Overall the draft timetables should deliver improved reliability across the network and will improved services across the region, as well as faster journey times and more direct routes on many journeys.

The proposed timetables are now available to view at www.stagecoachbus.com/bluebird and www.stagecoachbus.com/highlands, any comments can be sent to bluebird.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com or highland.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com  .