Policies and Contracts

Public transport forms a key element of the Council's transportation system, providing travel opportunities both within and to and from Aberdeenshire. It also offers the potential to combat the adverse economic and environmental effects of increasing traffic congestion in and around urban areas. Read about the Local Transport Strategy

Objectives

• To provide services which maintain the quality of life of those without private means of travel
• To promote accessible, reliable, user friendly and integrated public transport services
• To promote the development of inter-urban and urban Park and Ride and other intermodal schemes
• The Council is seeking to increase the role and usage of public transport, aiming to increase public transport's share of the total travel market by 10% within 10 years, in line with the Government target. The integration of all passenger transport services and other modes will be sought as a priority.

Details of the Council's policies which seek to achieve these aims are set out in the Public Transport Policy Statement.

Quality Partnership

The principal aims of a Quality Partnership are to enhance the quality, image and availability of bus services. The Council entered into a Quality Partnership for Public Transport in 1998 with Aberdeen City Council, First in Aberdeen and Stagecoach Bluebird. Significant progress has been achieved to date and a programme of further initiatives will address issues such as the delivery of passenger information, low floor buses, the development of Park and Ride services and improved passenger waiting facilities.

The Council will aim to develop multi-operator through-ticketing initiatives as part of the Quality Partnership for Public Transport, and in accordance with arrangements set out in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001. The provision of buses, through the partnership, powered by environmentally friendly fuels will also be considered. The Council will also review, in consultation with Aberdeen City Council, Stagecoach Bluebird and First in Aberdeen, the present Quality Partnership arrangements in light of the new legislation.