First Bus Group disregard for NHS Staff residents with change in the Number 5 service

On Thursday night staff at the ARI were told that First Aberdeen are to cut the frequency of the no 5 bus for the second time this year. The frequency was cut from 15 to 20 minutes in January and First Bus are now going to reduce the service again to every 30 minutes. This will have a direct impact on the people who use it in Danestone and the surrounding communities. This to put it bluntly is an unacceptable move by First Bus breaking a promise made by the Managing Director only a year ago.

In December 2009 First bus proposed to modify the route between Foresterhill and the Bridge of Don. After a public meeting held by Malcolm Bruce MP of which over 100 people made there voices heard, Bob Dorr the then Managing Director of First Bus Group stated that he was wrong on the usage of the bus route. He continued further by making a commitment to the people at the meeting, speaking behalf of First Bus Group, that any proposed changes to the Number 5 route would first have to be consulted with the general public.

Let us not forget that this route was given a Route Development Grant by the Scottish Government of approximately £250,000, which help provide 4 buses and infrastructure on the route to insure a higher frequency of buses. If this is to be modified leading to a service reduction will First bus give the Scottish Government its £250,000 back?

I for one, will not let this proposed change to the route happen without the people being consulted first as promised by First Bus Group. I will be working with Cllr George Penny and Malcolm Bruce MP to see this happens.