North-east bus passengers have been given a final chance to share their thoughts on a fleet of modern buses ahead of talks on Thursday.
Late last year, councillor Jim Ingram spoke out about difficulties facing disabled and elderly passengers travelling on Stagecoach’s 17 new Buchan Xpress vehicles which operate between Aberdeen and the Buchan coast.
Although the plush new coaches boast bike lockers and reclining leather seats, Mr Ingram claims access has been an issue for some of his constituents.
The Central Buchan representative said: “It’s accessibility – I’ve been getting more and more complaints from the public about it.
“It’s mainly the elderly and the disabled – the concession card holders – who struggle with these buses.”
Following discussions with the firm, a meeting with representatives of the three local bus forums was arranged and will be hosted in Mintlaw tomorrow evening.
Mr Ingram has asked concerned constituents and bus users to contact him with their concerns ahead of the discussions.
Stagecoach officials have previously said that the new vehicles are actually easier to board and alight than those they replace, and also have accessible seating immediately inside the doorway.
The average weekly passenger figures for the Buchan coast routes jumped from 25,000 to 32,000 in the week the new fleet was launched.
When the talks were originally announced, a spokeswoman for Stagecoach North Scotland said: “We are continually looking for ways to improve services for our passengers and make bus travel more accessible, affordable and easy for all of them.”
She added that passenger feedback is “always very welcome” and that any feasible suggestions brought up during tomorrow’s discussions will be implemented where possible.
The meeting between the Banff and Buchan, Buchan, and Formartine bus forums and officials from Stagecoach will take place at Mintlaw Academy from 7pm.
