Transport in Aberdeen - Buses

Buses

Bus services form the main public transportation system in Aberdeen. Most city buses are operated privately by FirstGroup via their subsidiary First Aberdeen (First's global headquarters are located in the city, on King Street). First Aberdeen has a monopoly on city bus services in Aberdeen partly due to their history. When bus services in the UK were privatised in the 1980s, those in Aberdeen were the subject of a management buy-out. The resulting company developed into FirstGroup following a number of mergers and acquisitions over the years. First Aberdeen has been criticised by local politicians and in the media for taking advantage of its monopoly with high fares and mediocre service. The company has defended its frequent fare rises as being necessary due to high running costs and cuts to government subsidies.

First Aberdeen have the largest share of routes in the city with 22 services currently running. They operate a hub-and-spoke network - the majority of routes begin at an outskirt or suburb, run through the city centre (often via at least part of Union Street) and then out to another suburb. For example, route 1 runs from Danestone in the north, to the city centre along Union Street, then out to Garthdee in the south-west. Services run at intervals from approximately every 15 minutes (during the day) to every 30 minutes (in the evening and on Sundays). All First Aberdeen buses require the exact fare as none carry change. Many of the routes date back to those formerly operated by trams. When the tram system was closed in the 1950s, the same routes were replaced by diesel buses. Many of these same routes, with minor alterations, still run today.

Stagecoach Bluebird also operate a single cross-city route; their route 59 operates between Northfield and Balnagask via the city centre and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Stagecoach Bluebird also operate a frequent service linking the bus station at Union Square to Aberdeen Airport as route 727. Change is given on Stagecoach Bluebird services.

Country bus services to outlying and rural villages and towns are also operated by Stagecoach Bluebird. Most start and terminate at the bus station at Union Square. They also pick up passengers at stops in the city. Routes such as the Coast Rider, (running between Montrose; Stonehaven; Newtonhill; Portlethen and Aberdeen) are popular, especially during rush hour with commuters working in the city.

Longer-distance and inter-city buses operate from the bus station at Union Square. Frequent services to other Scottish cities are operated by Scottish Citylink and Megabus, including the luxury Citylink Gold service to/from Glasgow. National Express operates services to/from London via a number of towns and cities as well as Heathrow Airport.