A LONG-PROMISED FLEET of 10 new coaches will be pressed immediately into action by Stagecoach on the route between Aberdeen and Inverness through Moray.
The coaches represent a £2.75million investment from Stagecoach North Scotland and will operate on the existing service 10.
The luxury coaches boast leather seats, free wi-fi, toilet and USB charging points. Passenger comfort is assured by climate control on board for the 700,000 passengers each year that are carried on the route.
The new coaches will be very welcome news to the local communities transforming the experience of taking the bus between Aberdeen and Inverness. The vehicles are also equipped with the most up to date vehicle tracking system – which means passengers will be able to track exactly when their bus will arrive by looking up their bus stop in the ‘bus stops nearby’ section of the Stagecoach mobile app or by visiting stagecoachbus.com.
One of the new coaches was unveiled this week in Elgin by Mark Whitelocks, Managing Director for Stagecoach North Scotland who was joined by Moray Council Leader, George Alexander and Convener, James Allan.
Mark Whitelocks said: “This investment is all about delivering better bus services in our area. We are committed to encouraging more people to travel by bus and we hope that when the community see the new coaches they will make bus a better choice to fulfil their travel needs.
“The 10 new coaches demonstrate our investment in greener, more efficient vehicles that link communities, places of employment and essential services.”
Councillor Alexander welcomed the investment, saying: “As a regular user of Stagecoach bus services, I welcome the introduction of these fine new coaches. The modern and reliable vehicles will be particularly appreciated by those patients in Moray who use the service 10 to travel to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment.”
Councillor Allan added: “The route is a vital link to Inverness and Aberdeen for people in Moray, so I’m delighted to see the company invest in comfortable coaches for passengers.
“I’m sure that travelling in such style and comfort will help persuade more to use public transport rather than rely on their car.”
The new vehicles are also Euro VI compliant which continues work to reduce the impact of the bus on the environment as well as improving air quality.
All 10 coaches are expected to be on the road by the end of November with the first two coaches in service yesterday [Thursday].