Aberdeen

Service 29 Continuation

City bus service 20 is set to keep on running this summer thanks to the University of Aberdeen and bus operator, First in Aberdeen.

The University and First have been working together to identify options for the continuation of service 20, which operates between Hillhead of Seaton and Marischal College and is predominantly used by students.

First had planned to withdraw the service during the summer holidays to reflect the dramatic drop in the numbers of passengers outwith the academic year, but the University of Aberdeen has now come forward to provide supplementary funding for the service to make up for the drop in patronage.

This means that, from Tuesday 14 July, service 20 will operate every 30 minutes, Monday to Friday, until around 8pm in the evening. Late night services will also be available on Fridays and Saturdays (there will be no Saturday daytime service). This will continue until the full service resumes on 13 September.

Duncan Cameron, Operations Director for First in Aberdeen, said: "This is a positive development for customers as they will be able to use service 20 throughout the year rather than switching to alternative services for the summer months and I would like to thank the University of Aberdeen for its contribution.

"We have to make the best possible use of the resources available to us where there is passenger demand and, where that demand is lacking, we have to look at the other options open to us. This is a good example of how working in partnership can deliver a creative solution " in this case, one that benefits both our passengers and the Universitys students.

Steve Cannon, Secretary to the University, said: "We appreciate the willingness of First to work with the University on this issue and that together we have been able to secure a resolution which will benefit students, staff, local residents, visitors to the area, and general University business over the summer months.'