BUCHAN AREA BUS FORUM

MINUTES OF MEETING ON MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014

ROOM G1, ACADEMY, MINTLAW

In Attendance

Councillor S.W. Pratt ( Council) Councillor A. Allan (Aberdeenshire Council) Councillor J. Ingram (Aberdeenshire Council) Colin Simpson (Mintlaw & District Community Council) Ursula Fullerton ( East Community Council) Henry Bisset (Buchan East Community Council) Kath Greig ( Community Association) Richard McKenzie (Aberdeenshire Council) Julie Pickering (Chair, Crimond Area Tenants & Residents Association) James Pickering (Bus User) Thomas Terry (Bus User and resident) Alice Paterson (Bus User) Farrar Von-Stringfellow (Observer) Keith Wilson (Observer) Brian Bullen (Observer) Steve Walker (Managing Director, Stagecoach North ) Neil Stewart (Principal Officer, PTU, Aberdeenshire Council) Susan Watt (Senior Transport Officer, PTU, Aberdeenshire Council)

Apologies

Catherine Tollemeche (Bus User) John Temple (Bus User)

1. Welcome and Introduction

Councillor Pratt welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were given.

2. Minutes of Meeting on 4 th September 2014

The Minutes were approved.

3. Matters arising from the Minutes

Neil Stewart provided the following update on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council:

3.1 Bus stops and shelters have been installed on both sides of Station Road (Mintlaw), for the benefit of bus users from Sutherland Close and Sutherland Drive.

1 Colin Simpson (MIntlaw & District Community Council) thanked Aberdeenshire Council for the shelter facilities, but he confirmed that some of the residents of Abbey Court sheltered housing are unable to pass the shelter in their mobility scooters as there is insufficient clearance on the footpath to allow this.

Neil Stewart confirmed that this would be investigated.

3.2 Posters informing passengers of details of the Area Bus Forum meeting were produced and displayed on buses, and also at and Mintlaw Interchanges, two weeks prior to the meeting date.

3.3 Regarding the provision of a service between and Banff (via and ), he confirmed that Aberdeenshire Council awarded a contract for the weekday service, which commenced operation on 3 February 2014. It was well publicised in advance through the Local Press and also by means of an official Launch at Fraserburgh Bus Station.

He reported that information supplied by the operator, supplemented by on-bus surveys, confirms that demand currently averages 5 passengers per journey. He advised that whilst usage is low, the service has only been in operation for over a month and it should be given at least a year to try to build up patronage.

He also reported that the award of this contract, and of two other Local Bus Service contracts so late in the current financial year has led to a projected overspend in the Council’s Budget for Local Bus Services in 2014/2015. He confirmed, therefore, that he has accepted Stagecoach Bluebird’s proposal to advance the 0802 hours and 1502 hours ex Fraserburgh - Banff journeys to depart at 0720 hours and 1435 hours respectively, in return for a reduction in the contract rate of £100 per day, with effect from 5 May 2014.

He also confirmed that consideration will be given in the tendering process for contract renewal in August 2015, to the possibility of providing a peak return journey originating in Banff.

Steve Walker provided the following update on behalf of Stagecoach Bluebird:

3.4 The timing points in have been reviewed to address the problem of buses operating early through Cruden Bay to wait at the Kilmarnock Arms. (For information, they are Ardmachron Drive (southbound) and Golf Road (northbound) with effect from 5 May 2014)

3.5 There are no plans to amend the route of Services 67/68 ( - Fraserburgh) to serve New Pitsligo, but connections with some journeys on Service 270 (Fraserburgh - New Pitsligo Circular) are possible at Strichen, for travel to/from Aberdeen.

3.6 It is not considered commercially viable to provide a journey from Ellon to Fraserburgh, for an arrival before 0800 hours.

2 3.7 The existing 0740 hours ex New Pitsligo - Fraserburgh (Service 270) (schooldays) is still timed to connect with the 0740 hours ex Fraserburgh - Aberdeen (Service 68) at Strichen, whilst the non-schoolday journey, which currently departs New Pitsligo at 0755 hours, will be advanced to depart at 0740 hours with effect from 5 May 2014, to ensure an all year round connection to Aberdeen.

3.9 It is not considered commercially viable to re-route Service 69 (Fraserburgh - Peterhead) to provide two return journeys between and Crimond, for those attending Crimond Medical Centre.

4. Bus Service Update

Steve Walker provided the following update:

The company has undertaken a comprehensive review of the majority of its commercial services in Aberdeenshire and, following public consultation during February, service changes will be implemented on Monday 5 May 2014. He confirmed that timetables would be issued at least 3 weeks beforehand and provided the following summary:

4.1 Services 60/61/63 (Aberdeen - Peterhead)

• Journeys have been re-timed to address reliability issues on the corridor.

• Service 63 (Monday to Saturday daytime) and Service 61 (evenings and Sundays) will operate via HMP Grampian in Peterhead.

• 1625 hours and 1705 hours ex Aberdeen - Peterhead (Monday to Friday) will no longer serve Market Street Interchange (Ellon), reducing journey times for passengers.

• The services will operate as limited stop within Aberdeen City.

(Subsequent to the meeting, Stagecoach confirmed that the following stops will be served:

Northbound: Union Street (opposite Adelphi), King Street (Morrisons superstore, First Bus Depot, Orchard Street, University Road, St Machar Drive roundabout, Lidl superstore), Ellon Road (opposite Gordon Barracks and opposite AECC)

Southbound: Ellon Road (at AECC and Gordon Barracks), King Street (opposite Lidl superstore, St Machar Drive roundabout, opposite University Road, opposite Orchard Street, opposite First Bus Depot, opposite Morrisons superstore), Union Street (Adelphi)

3 4.2 Service 67/68 (Aberdeen - Fraserburgh)

• Journeys have been re-timed to address reliability issues on the corridor.

• 1610 hours and 1635 hours ex Aberdeen - Fraserburgh (Monday to Friday) will only stop in Ellon to serve Park & Ride, reducing journey times for passengers.

• 1700 hours and 1720 ex Aberdeen - Fraserburgh (Monday to Friday) will by- pass Ellon, also reducing journey times for passengers.

• The services will operate as limited stop within Aberdeen City. (see above for stops served)

4.3 The U21 Megarider was introduced for the Buchan Megarider area on 3 February 2014, entitling those aged 16-20 years old to 25% off the price of an Adult Megarider ticket.

It was queried from the floor as to why the scheme was limited to 16-20 year olds.

Steve Walker advised that there is a gap in the market for this age group and the scheme has been introduced on an experimental basis. He confirmed that the company’s Unirider tickets already offer considerable discounts to all students.

4.4 The company will operate a Saturday level of service, as opposed to a Sunday level of service, on the May Day public holiday each year, with immediate effect.

Neil Stewart provided the following update:

4.5 Stagecoach Bluebird have decided to reduce the frequency between Boddam and Peterhead from half-hourly to hourly during the inter-peak period (Monday to Saturday). Information supplied by the operator indicates that, on average, 15 passengers travel per hour on weekdays and 10 passengers travel per hour on Saturday. The revised frequency was therefore considered by Council officers to be reasonable, and in line with overall passenger demand.

4.6 Demand on the early morning workers’ journey from Peterhead to Macrae’s fish factory in Fraserburgh (Service 69), which is contracted to Aberdeenshire Council, still averages 5 passengers per day. Council officers have agreed to Stagecoach’s request to advance the journey by 15 minutes and combine it with a journey from St Combs to Fraserburgh (Macrae’s) (Service 75), on the basis that the additional demand (average 12 passengers per day) on Service 75 should guarantee the long term future of the journey. Following negotiations, the contract rate will be reduced by £30 per day.

4 4.7 Stagecoach Bluebird have fulfilled a request from Community Association to bridge the gap southbound between 0618 hours and 0853 hours on weekdays, by re-routing the 0705 hours ex Fraserburgh - Ellon via the village, with effect from 5 May 2014. This journey will connect with services to Aberdeen at Ellon Park & Ride.

The other request from the same source, to extend journeys on Service 66 (Peterhead - Mintlaw/Stuartfield) to Fetterangus can not be fulfilled by Stagecoach Bluebird due to timetable constraints, but the Council’s Central Buchan A2B already provides a link between Fetterangus and Mintlaw to access Service 66.

4.8 Passenger Transport Review

Council Officers are currently undertaking a review of supported passenger transport services, with a special meeting provisionally organised in Mintlaw Academy, Mintlaw on 15 May 2014 to consult with those who attend the Forum.

The services which could be affected are those described as subsidised or mostly subsidised on the Council’s Summary of Local Bus Services sheet. The review is currently in the early stages but everyone on the e-mail list will be informed of the services affected and whether the meeting is to go ahead, as timescales are very tight. Details will also be provided on the Council’s web site under Area Bus Forums.

He advised anyone not already on the e-mail list to supply their details to Susan Watt at the end of the meeting. For those who can’t access email or the internet, please telephone Aberdeen (01224) 664784 a week prior to the provisional meeting date.

5. Bus Service Requests / Development

Neil Stewart referred to the papers circulated, detailing pending and fulfilled service requests in the Buchan Area, and summarised the earlier discussions as follows:

5.1 The request for better links between New Pitsligo and Banff/Elgin has been fulfilled by Aberdeenshire Council with the provision of 3 weekday return journeys (Service 272: Fraserburgh - Strichen - New Pitsligo - Banff), with effect from 3 February 2014, with connections to/from Elgin. (Page 2 Item 3.3 refers).

5.2 The request for every alternate journey on Service 67/68 (Fraserburgh – Aberdeen) to be re-routed via New Pitsligo has been ruled out by Stagecoach Bluebird. (Page 2 Item 3.5 refers).

5.3 The request for the provision of a journey from Ellon to Fraserburgh for an arrival before 0800 hours on Service 67/68 (Fraserburgh - Aberdeen) has been ruled out by Stagecoach Bluebird. (Page 2 Item 3.6 refers).

5 5.4 The request for the provision of two return journeys between St Combs and Crimond, for those attending Crimond Health Centre, has been ruled out by Stagecoach Bluebird. (Page 3 Item 3.9 refers).

5.5 The request for improved connection times between Services 270 (Fraserburgh - New Pitsligo - Strichen Circular) and Service 68 (Fraserburgh - Strichen - Aberdeen), has been fulfilled by Stagecoach Bluebird, with effect from 5 May 2014. (Page 3 Item 3.7 refers).

6. Public Transport Infrastructure / Information

6.1 Request for the bus stop on Logie Drive (Crimond), which is currently positioned very near the junction with Logie Road, to be re-located to a lay-by some 50 metres south on The Corse.

Councillor Allan supported this request on the grounds of road safety.

Neil Stewart confirmed that this would be investigated.

6.2 Request for a bus stop to be provided on Newton Road, St Fergus, opposite the entrance to Renouard Court Sheltered Housing, as some drivers already stop there on an ad hoc basis.

Councillor Allan confirmed that there used to be a stop at that location and when it was moved, complaints were received from Renouard Court, as well as the resident of the house at the new location.

Neil Stewart confirmed that this would be investigated.

7. Service 66 (Peterhead - Stuartfield)

7.1 Request for improved connections with Service 67/68 (Fraserburgh - Aberdeen) at Mintlaw interchange, for the benefit of passengers from Stuartfield and the Newlands Road area of Mintlaw.

Steve Walker confirmed that every effort is made to time the services accordingly, but there is similar demand from the area, so it can be difficult to strike a fair balance, given that there is demand responsive transport serving both Stuartfield and Mintlaw (Monday to Saturday).

7.2 Repeated request for the service to operate via Woodside Crescent (Mintlaw)

Councillor Ingram advised that the service had previously been re-routed via Woodside Crescent, but it was withdrawn due to considerable pressure from residents. He confirmed that once the house building resumes, Newlands Road will become a through road in both directions between Burnside Road and Station Road, passing the end of Woodside Crescent.

6 8. Service 67/68 (Aberdeen – Fraserburgh)

8.1 Claim that the 1630 hours ex Aberdeen - Fraserburgh (Monday to Friday) often departs later than scheduled, due to its late arrival from the previous journey at Union Square Bus Station.

Steve Walker confirmed that this matter should be resolved with effect from 5 May 2014, as action has been taken to address reliability issues, such as the aforementioned re-timings and limited stop measures (Page 2 item 4.2 refers).

9. Service 69 (Fraserburgh - Peterhead)

9.1 Request for improved connections with the mainline services between Peterhead and Aberdeen (Services 60/61/63), for the benefit of passengers from Crimond and St Fergus.

Steve Walker advised that the services are not specifically timed to connect, but the combined frequencies of the Peterhead - Aberdeen services should allow connections throughout most of the day. He confirmed that this matter would be investigated in the next review.

9.2 Stagecoach Bluebird received compliments from ‘‘the floor’’ for the introduction of improved vehicles on the route.

10. A.O.B.

10.1 Query as to why Stagecoach Bluebird’s 13 week tickets, for travel from Fraserburgh to Aberdeen, work out more expensive per week than the company’s 4 weekly tickets.

Steve Walker expressed surprise and confirmed that this would be investigated.

10.2 Query as to whether Stagecoach would consider offering fares discounts to Aberdeenshire Council employees, in view of the existing discount scheme for NHS employees.

Steve Walker advised that consideration may be given to the possibility of introducing a Salary Sacrifice Scheme, whereby the bus fare is paid from an employee’s gross income before tax and national insurance are deducted. He also advised that the discount offered is based on the tax bracket and is also a benefit to the employer and operator. He confirmed, however, that the terms and conditions of the Scheme have been tightened up, so further investigation will be required before providing an update in due course.

11. Date and Venue of Next Meeting

Neil Stewart confirmed that the next meeting of the Forum would take place in Peterhead in autumn 2014. Further details would be advised in due course.

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