First Bus and Stagecoach to offer free weekend bus travel throughout January

Free weekend bus travel will be offered in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire throughout January.

It's reportedly thanks to savings generated by controversial bus gates on Bridge Street, Guild Street, and Market Street.

First Bus and Stagecoach claim the bus gates have resulted in cost savings, which will now benefit customers.

Companies say the bus gates have already accelerated journey times for over 600,000 people monthly in the city centre.

Graeme Macfarlan, Commercial Director for First Bus Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer free travel across all First Bus routes in Aberdeen throughout January and the subsequent benefits that will bring to people travelling around the city.

“We understand January can be a difficult month for people for many different reasons and we felt this offer was a great way to reinvest the savings we are seeing from the new bus priority measures in the city centre while also encouraging more people to take the bus more often.

“Sustainable, reliable and affordable transport is a cornerstone of making any city centre a success and we will continue to play our part alongside our investment in zero emission vehicles with nearly 50 now in operation across the city each day.”

David Beaton, Managing Director for Stagecoach North Scotland, said: "This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to working together as local public transport providers to ensure a bright, clean, and prosperous future for Aberdeen.

"Through providing free travel on our city services and within the Aberdeen commuter zone, we hope to give the city centre a boost during a challenging time of year, both for customers and local businesses, whilst encouraging modal shift to more sustainable forms of transport."

Free bus travel will be available on the 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 27th, and 28th of January.

More information can be found on the First Bus and Stagecoach websites.