New campaign launched to demystify Aberdeen bus gates

The North East Bus Alliance has launched a new campaign to help end public backlash to its controversial city centre bus gates.

It's hoped the campaign will better explain the positives of the scheme.

More than 22,000 warning letters were sent out just in the first 40 days of the bus gates running, with many motorists feeling the bus gates were unclear.

Robert Andrew, chair of the North East Bus Alliance, said the new campaign addressed the feedback from citizens and businesses that information about the bus gates needed to be easier to find and understand.  

“Sustainable, reliable and affordable transport can unlock the city centre’s potential – making it easier for people and goods to get around and reducing traffic congestion and pollution. This, in turn, will lead to a more pleasant and welcoming place in which to live, work, shop, relax and socialise,” he said. 

“If we are to compete with other cities in the UK and Europe, tackle the unsustainable growth in traffic and not store up greater problems for ourselves in the future, we must act now.  

“This is why we have introduced the bus gates, the success of which depends on everyone understanding how they work and making small changes to the ways in which they get about town. 

“We will be providing information to help everyone - whatever their mobility and whether they are bus users, motorists, cyclists or pedestrians - navigate their way around the city centre confidently, safely and more sustainably.”  

Duncan Cameron from First Aberdeen has said they have seen an improvement in punctuality, with a 25% improvement in buses starting their journeys on time, helping to ensure that 95% of all services are now operating on time thanks to the new bus priority measures.  

“The bus priority measures have already helped us to provide a better service to passengers. We’ve seen a 10% rise in passenger numbers. More people taking the bus, more often, will lead to a better service with greater frequency, more reliability and reduced journey times,” he said. 

Information on the campaign can be found at www.getabout.org.uk.