The Braemar Tourism Group has launched a “use it or lose it” campaign to support a Sunday bus service in Deeside.
Members of the local community gathered to see the 901 off on its maiden voyage from Braemar to Ballater shortly after 9am yesterday to show the strength of local support.
The free shuttle service was established to run over the summer while a review of subsidised routes takes place.
Braemar’s tourism group has argued a Sunday service is important to drive visitors and customers to the village’s cafes, shops, visitor attractions, and the great outdoors.
Julia Fennema, the chairwoman of the group, said: “Braemar is absolutely buzzing and we want to encourage people to leave their cars at home and hop on the bus up here whether they are coming for lunch, for the weekend, to walk, to cycle, or just to browse.
“And as an added incentive, it’s free of charge for the next few weeks.”
Deeside councillor Geva Blackett added: “We have a completely new and unique offering here and people are fascinated which is fantastic, because Braemar has always welcomed visitors.
“But with low-cost housing hard to find in the village, businesses need to recruit staff from out with the immediate area.
“Particularly if they are young, they may depend on public transport to get to and from work on Sundays – they need the bus.”
