A new initiative offering free community transport is being launched in Buchan today.
The Be-Link’D pilot scheme is being operated by Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus to help meet the needs of people in rural areas who cannot access suitable transport because of existing bus times, accessibility or cost.
The new pilot launches following a review of the local authority-run A2B service, which operated around a dozen routes across the region until the start of lockdown.
That dial-a-bus service was reviewed region-wide ahead of its European funding drying up in November, leaving only the Buchan service in operation.
Buchan community planning officer Maureen Stephen said the pilot is “a fantastic opportunity to try to meet the transport needs of our rural communities”.
She said: “We know that a lack of transport contributes to people’s feelings of isolation, so in these challenging times, enabling people to stay connected is more important than ever.
“The key to the project’s success will be in clearly demonstrating that there is sufficient support within the community to make the service financially sustainable.”
The project has been led and developed by community planning partners including Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, Buchan Development Partnership, Foyer and the Department of Work and Pensions.
The new Be-Link’D version will be available Monday to Friday with pick-ups from 9am and a last drop-off at 3.30pm.
Jayne Fraser, head of finance manager with Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus, said: “We are delighted to be involved with this pilot because it fits well with the services already being provided by our organisation.
“This is also an exciting opportunity for us to work more closely with other service providers. All the required adaptations to our buses have been undertaken to allow people to travel safely and we are looking forward to welcoming our new passengers.”
Meanwhile residents on the Cuminestown, Garmond and New Byth routes continue to push for the reinstatement of the original A2B service to Turriff. Their petition has gathered more than 100 signatures in the past three weeks.
That A2B service, launched in 2007, took over the axed Stagecoach services covering rural areas in 2018. It withdrew all but one of its services at the start of lockdown as demand plummeted and users observed the “stay at home” message.
Similar to that service, Be-Link’D will work on a referral basis. Once a form has been completed and processed, either the referrer or the client can phone or email to book the transport.
Those who are already registered with the Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus for the T4U service will not be eligible to use the new scheme, though.
Bookings and informal enquiries can be made by calling Lynda McFarlane on (01771) 619191, 07397 270965 or by e-mailing booking@belinkd.co.uk
The Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus office in Maud is open from 8.30am-4pm Monday to Friday.
