Passenger Transport Strategies and Policies

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.

Objectives

Within an overall Local Transport Strategy objective “to work in partnership with local transport operators and communities with the aim to deliver improved services and address perceived barriers relating to public transport”, the specific Passenger Transport Strategy objectives are, working with our partners:

to support and deliver services and facilities that improve the quality of life of those without private means of travel;
to increase the attractiveness and use of passenger transport services, aiming to increase their share of the total travel market;
to address perceived barriers to passenger transport through the provision of high quality services and facilities, that are accessible, reliable and user friendly;
to achieve best value and ensure cost effective and efficient service delivery, aiming to maximise the benefits of integrated passenger transport service provision;
to address issues of affordability for the travelling public;
to provide existing and potential passengers with information that is accurate and appropriate to their needs;
to understand our customers’ needs and expectations, through consultation and market research; and
to monitor and review the effectiveness of our policies and our ongoing service

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

North East of Scotland Bus Alliance

The council is an active participant in the North East of Scotland Bus Alliance along with Aberdeen City Council, Nestrans, First Aberdeen, Stagecoach, and smaller bus operators. This voluntary partnership is overseen by a board which is independently chaired and includes a customer representative from Bus Users Scotland. Find out more about the North East of Scotland Bus Alliance.

Following assembly of a ‘state of the network’ report, the focus of the board has been on the development of action plans for the priority bus corridors between Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen city centre including a rapid transit system.

Strategies and contract awards

View information on the following strategies:

Bus services survey

Towards the end of 2019 we carried out a survey to gather the views of Aberdeenshire residents on public transport and to assist the council’s decision-making on how to prioritise spend.

View survey results:

Aberdeenshire Council