Enjoy the fun of the Aberdeen Christmas Village as part of your night out - then take a free weekend night bus home. Image - Courtesy of Codona's
Revellers have praised Aberdeen’s free weekend night buses for getting them home safely and reliably after a festive night out.
Several users have messaged Aberdeen Inspired – who collaborated with Aberdeen City Council and First Bus on the return of the night – to express their appreciation for the service which runs to 10 key destinations across the city and Aberdeenshire.
Passenger Julie Ross said: “After trawling Union Street for a taxi home last night, the queues were long and no taxis in sight.
“We came across the bus stop at Union Terrace Gardens and found there was a night bus due in 10 minutes to our area. We were frozen and soaked through (yes, we had jackets on etc) and it was absolutely worth the wait! Everyone at the stop tried to pay their way to the delight of it being a free service!
”A wonderful initiative for the party season to keep all of us safe and warm with the knowledge of getting close to your home without the stress and upset of a long queue for a taxi. (I would) 100% recommend the free service especially for lone people to get home safely.”
Another testimonial came from Natasha Bowden who said: “Having a night bus just now is a real lifesaver and I must admit it was super convenient last weekend.
“When myself and my friends went out on Saturday we didn’t have to worry about the last bus or how we can get a taxi. We just headed to the bus stop and just got onto the bus no problem at 1:30am.
“The queue for taxis next to the stop was just massive and we would have waited for a while and probably spent a lot of money, too. Instead - free bus, on time and no bother at all. I wish we had this always!”
Other passengers took to social media to praise the service – which started on November 15 - for offering free cosy buses to get them home, with one describing it as “awesome” in the face of queues for taxis.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, is delighted by the praise from passengers for the free weekend night bus service. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said he was delighted by the overwhelmingly positive response to the night bus service which runs in the early hours of Saturdays and Sundays until January 5.
“Aberdeen Inspired pushed hard for the night buses to return for the festive season and are very grateful to Aberdeen City Council and First Bus for providing this free service,” he said.
“The fact they are being welcomed and praised by so many people for getting them home safely and reliably after a night out shows just how much this service was needed.
“If people know there is a way to get home without fuss it will encourage more folk to come into the city centre in the evening and provide a much-needed boost to the nighttime economy and the businesses who depend on it.
“The night buses truly are a boon to people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and I would urge people to make use of them. The more they are used, the stronger the argument for making this a year-round service – something which Aberdeen Inspired has been lobbying for in recent years.”
The services are:
- N1, city centre – Dubford/Ashwood/Danestone, via King Street;
- N61, city centre – Ellon via Balmedie and Newburgh;
- N17, city centre – Bucksburn/Dyce, via Great Northern Road;
- N9, city centre – Inverurie, via Blackburn and Kintore, via Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI);
- N12, Torry – Northfield/Northfield - Torry, via city centre and Rosemount;
- N23, city centre – Kingswells, via Summerhill and Sheddocksley;
- N6, city centre – Westhill, via Queens Road;
- N201, city centre – Banchory, via Cults and Peterculter, via North Deeside Road;
- N18, city centre – Kincorth/Cove;
- N7, Garthdee – Stonehaven/Stonehaven - Garthdee, via city centre, Portlethen and Newtonhill.
Full route and timetable information is at Weekend Night Bus Services | Aberdeen City Council