Buchan Bus Forum Minutes March 14

BUCHAN AREA BUS FORUM
MINUTES OF MEETING ON MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014
ROOM G1, MINTLAW ACADEMY, MINTLAW
In Attendance
Councillor S.W. Pratt (Aberdeenshire Council)
Councillor A. Allan (Aberdeenshire Council)
Councillor J. Ingram (Aberdeenshire Council)
Colin Simpson (Mintlaw & District Community Council)
Ursula Fullerton (Buchan East Community Council)
Henry Bisset (Buchan East Community Council)
Kath Greig (Stuartfield Community Association)
Richard McKenzie (Aberdeenshire Council)
Julie Pickering (Chair, Crimond Area Tenants & Residents Association)
James Pickering (Bus User)
Thomas Terry (Bus User and St Fergus resident)
Alice Paterson (Bus User)
Farrar Von-Stringfellow (Observer)
Keith Wilson (Observer)
Brian Bullen (Observer)
Steve Walker (Managing Director, Stagecoach North Scotland)
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 4th 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.
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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 Peterhead and Mintlaw Interchanges,
two weeks prior to the meeting date.
3.3
Regarding the provision of a service between Fraserburgh and Banff (via Strichen
and New Pitsligo), 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 Cruden Bay 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 (Aberdeen - 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.
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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 St Combs 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)
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4.2
4.3
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 bypass Ellon, also reducing journey times for passengers.
•
The services will operate as limited stop within Aberdeen City. (see above for
stops served)
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.
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4.7
Stagecoach Bluebird have fulfilled a request from Fetterangus 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).
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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 Longside 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.
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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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