Investment drives First forward in Aberdeen

MORE THAN £3 Million worth of investment is set to boost bus services in Aberdeen.

Local bus operating company First has announced a raft of investment in 22 brand new buses this year to improve the quality and reliability of services and to boost the comfort of passenger journeys in the North-east.

The vehicles are the latest in Euro IV Volvo engines – tuned and designed to reduce emissions and cut down on pollution. The buses are more user friendly too with easier low floor access for all passengers – in particular making it easier for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and the elderly to get on and off the bus. The new vehicles include 12 doubles and 10 single deckers.

All of these buses are fitted with both interior and exterior facing CCTV – all helping to offer additional security and protection to passengers.

George Mair, Managing Director of First in Aberdeen, explained: “We already have three of these new buses in place, but have a further seven single deck vehicles arriving in April. This will be followed by a dozen new double deckers later in the year as part of an overall investment of £3.3 million. This is part of a major effort to improve the service we provide to the thousands of people travelling with us on a daily basis.

“These state-of-the-art buses are brighter, more accessible and we hope will improve the travelling experience of our passengers.”

New buses will be operating on services 17 (Newhills to Faulds Gate) and 23 (Summerhill to Heathryfold).

The arrival of the new buses also meets a key strategic aim of First by reducing our carbon footprint and encouraging the modal shift of passengers out of their cars and onto public transport.

George added: “We are investing millions of pounds in new buses and as well as reducing our impact on the environment by replacing our fleet, this significant spend will also improve the travel experience of many of the thousands of passengers we carry every day.”

The Aberdeen investment is part of a national programme of investment by the city-based transport operator in over 700 new buses with an investment of over £100 million across the UK - First’s biggest order ever and the biggest single order ever in bus history.