First Aberdeen
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| First Aberdeen | |
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| Type | Public |
| Founded | 1998, formerly First Grampian (Grampian Regional Transport) |
| Headquarters | 395 King Street, Aberdeen |
| Area served | Aberdeen |
| Website | www.firstgroup.com |
First Aberdeen is the main bus company serving Aberdeen, Scotland amd is part of FirstGroup. First Aberdeen operates almost all of the bus services in Aberdeen with Stagecoach being the only other major bus operator but only operating along major trunk routes and a single city centre service. First Aberdeen operates an extensive network of bus services throughout Aberdeen with a couple of services partially subsidied through Aberdeen City Council.
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[edit] History
First Aberdeen's history can be traced back to Aberdeen Corporation Tramways which was formed in 1898. The company became Aberdeen Corporation Transport Department when it became solely a bus operator as trams ceased on May 3rd 1958. Under public sector reorganisation, the company became Grampian Regional Transport but was still under public ownership. With government deregulation of bus services in 1986, a limited company was formed which was bought out by management in 1989. GRT, as it was known, became FirstBus in 1995 after merger with Badgerline. In practice, Aberdeen buses continued to carry the green and cream livery of Grampian Regional Transport although with First logos until 1998. In 1998, the company was renamed First Aberdeen and the new First livery was introduced although it took a number of years before it was used on all buses.
[edit] Service changes
Since 2001 there have been only 3 service change dates. The long-awaited metro network (see below) was introduced on May 13th 2001 with the promise of no negative service changes in the following three years. In September 2004, a small number of services were withdrawn and minor revisions were made to some existing services. Major service changes came on April 6th 2008 with the introduction of a revised Overground network.
[edit] Metro network
The Metro network was launched as a series of colour-coded high-frequency routes in May 2001. This was later remaned the Overground network to be consistent with other colour-coded networks operated by First. Whilst bringing much initial confusion, it was a substantial improvement with the bus network much easier to understand. Previously, many routes had operated with some only having a couple of streets difference over the whole route from another route at low frequencies. This approach was abandoned with high-frequency services operating along main streets.
[edit] Overground (April 2008)
The last revision to the network took place on 6th April 2008. All of the routes presently operated are shown below with their frequency. A few of the more minor services are not colour-coded.
| Number | Line | Route | Daytime Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | Red | Danestone/Ashwood - City Centre - Garthdee/Auchinyell | 12 mins (6 mins along common part of route) |
| 3 | Purple | Mastrick - Aberdeen Royal Infirmary - City Centre - Cove | 10 mins |
| 5 | Lime Green | Dubford - Aberdeen Royal Infirmary - City Centre - Balnagask Circle | 15 mins |
| 8 | Park Lynx | Tillydrone - Northfield - Hazlehead Park - Garthdee - Balnagask | 90 mins (Summer only) |
| 9 | Lavender | Schoolhill - City Centre - RGU Garthdee | 10 mins (8am - 9am), 15 (9am - 3pm), 20 mins (pm) |
| 12 | Green | Northfield - Berryden - City Centre - Torry | 10 mins |
| 13/13A | Pink | Scatterburn - Mastrick - Queen's Cross - City Centre - Dubford (13) / Footdee (13A) | 15 mins (alternate buses are 13 and 13A) |
| 14/14A | Salmon | Kingswells - Kingswells Park & Ride (14A only) - City Centre - Seaton - Aberdeen Royal Infirmary | 15 mins (14A only operates during peak periods, Seaton to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary every 30 mins) |
| 16/16A | Orange | Springhill - City Centre - Craigiebuckler (16) - Airyhall (16A) | 10 mins (alternate buses are 16 and 16A) |
| 17/17X | Blue | Faulds Gate - City Centre - Bucksburn - Newhills - Dyce (17X only) | 10 mins (17X to Dyce operates every 30 mins) |
| 19 | Turquoise | Tillydrone - City Centre - Cults - Culter | 15 mins |
| 20 | Indigo | Hillhead of Seaton - Old Aberdeen - Marischal College | 15 mins (30 mins outside University term time) |
| 21 | Claret | Charleston - Altens Industrial Estate (peak times only) - Kincorth - City Centre - Bucksburn - Dyce | 10 mins |
| 23 | Yellow | Sheddocksley - Aberdeen Royal Infirmary - City Centre - Heathryfold | 10 mins |
| 24 | No Colour | Broad Street - Cults - Culter | 4 journeys per day |
| 25 | No Colour | Broad Street - Midstocket Road - Mastrick | 60 mins |
| 27 | No Colour | City Centre - Airport | Regular services at peak times / 90 mins |
| 40/40A | Park and Ride | Bridge of Don - City Centre (40A terminates here) - Kingswells | 10/15 mins (7/8 mins peak time with 40A) |
[edit] Fares & Tickets
First Aberdeen operates an exact fare policy so no change is available from the driver. As well as single journeys paid in cash, other methods of payment and fares are available:
[edit] FareCard
A farecard can be bought from the First Travel Centre in Union Street in denominations of £5, £10 and £20. It is a magnetic strip which retains information about journeys made and the amount of credit still available.
[edit] FirstDay
FirstDay tickets offer unlimited travel on all First buses in Aberdeen for a single day. The peak version is valid until 12midnight on the day purchased. The off-peak version is valid from 9.30am until 12midnight or all day at Weekends.
[edit] Season Tickets
Season Tickets are available for purchase in weekly (FirstWeek), monthly (FirstMonth) and 3 months (First3Month) time periods. Student versions are only available for weekly and monthly time periods.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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