Stagecoach Bluebird will be making major changes to bus services from Monday 29 June.

The company today confirmed it will start to gradually increase bus service levels in line with the Scottish Government’s plans to re-open more parts of daily life.

They will provide around double the number of services that have been running as part of the emergency timetables in place since March. Bus services will be gradually increased, with plans to resume full timetables after approximately 8 weeks. As well as local bus links, it includes Citylink and Megabus coach services within Scotland.

However, in liaison with Stagecoach Bluebird, Aberdeenshire Council has agreed that approximately 80% of the supported network in the region will operate from day one.

Among the changes will be an increased frequency with more X7 journeys added reducing journey times for trips between Aberdeen and Stonehaven.

The 7/7A/7B service will operate every hour between Aberdeen, Portlethen, Newtonhill and Chapelton. Chapelton village will be connected directly to Aberdeen for the first time

I was asked by a resident about the lack of 7B buses between Portlethen/Newtonhill and Stonehaven.

Here is the answer from Daniel Laird, commercial director of Stagecoach Bluebird:

“I’m writing in relation to your email yesterday regarding services in Portlethen, Newtonhill and Stonehaven. You may recall that, before the pandemic, we had intended to introduce a network change on 6th April. This included a revised 7/7B service between Aberdeen, Newtonhill and Portlethen only, with a limited number of journeys extending to Stonehaven. In addition to this, since we knew that most travel between Portlethen, Newtonhill and Stonehaven took place in the off-peak, we had planned a limited number of journeys (service 8) that would provide these connections during the day. These would mainly serve those looking to access shopping and other local facilities in Portlethen.

“However, clearly the circumstances meant that we weren’t able to implement our network plans for 6th April as we originally intended. As we start to build up services again as government advice and travel demand changes, we have introduced the revised 7/7B service from 29th June, but not the off-peak service 8 at this time. We will keep this under review as we consider how travel demands develop in the coming weeks and months. We will be keeping a close eye on feedback from customers and stakeholders to understand what adjustments may be required going forward.”

Here is a link to download the Aberdeenshire and Moray timetables – https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-24/06/2020-17:38:13:966