Competitors
As the incumbent city bus operator since the tram era, First Aberdeen has retained control of almost all of the bus services in Aberdeen over the years. Stagecoach is the only other major bus operator but only through its Stagecoach East Scotland (Bluebird Buses Ltd) operating along major trunk routes and a single city centre service. This has been the source of many complaints over the years, with many councillors and members of the public suggesting that the lack of competition in Aberdeen has led to fare prices in the city becoming unreasonably high.
On 17 September 2012, Stagecoach Bluebird will launch 2 new service in Aberdeen The 5 which will be an evening version of the First 5 but will operate to also operate to Airyhall areas which are areas which First will axe evening service to the previous day and will also launch 9U a daytime service which will operate from ARI to Hillhead which will replace First service 6 also axed 1 day previous but the service will be extended to operate to Union Square via Seaton this could potentially take custom off services 13 and 20. This will take Stagecoach Bluebird current operations in the city to 4 and could potentially launch more service increasing competition for First.
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