Aberdeen

FIRST IN ABERDEEN REVISES TIMETABLES DUE TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Special timetables are being re-introduced for a number of First in Aberdeen bus services from this weekend due to ongoing industrial action by members of Unite the Union.

Following the reinstatement of industrial action earlier this week, staff are 'working to rule' and refusing to work any overtime, which is impacting on the level of services the company can operate across the city.

To minimise the impact on passengers and ensure the continuous delivery of regular and reliable bus services, First is re-introducing special timetables from Sunday 23 August for services 1/2, 3, 5, 12 13/13A, 14/14A, 16/16A, 17, 19, 21, and 23. Services 20, 25, 27, 40 and 80 will remain the same and operate according to current timetables. Late night weekend services will not operate at all.

The timetable changes mainly affect weekday services from around 9.30am, with early morning services operating as usual until then. After this time, the times and frequencies will change on some services, while only the times will change for others.

Bob Dorr, Managing Director of First in Aberdeen said: "I am sorry that we are being forced to bring back these revised timetables as a result of the union's actions, especially as we thought we had been on the verge of agreeing a pay deal. However, our passengers need to have confidence in our services and we can only provide that by making some amendments to the usual timetables.

"As before, we have done all we can to minimise the impact on customers and I am pleased that we will continue to operate our usual morning peak services with the continuation of high frequency services throughout the day, with buses every 12 minutes on many routes".

"I'm sure many of our passengers will find it difficult to understand why they are being affected in this way when not only did we put forward a guarantee of job security and the continuation of an excellent pension scheme and benefits; we had, in an effort to prevent further action, made significant progress regarding a pay deal that would have kept our costs the same but increased take home pay for staff and introduced better working patterns for them. Both options present positive outcomes in a very challenging environment, yet the union refuses to recognise this and continues to cause disruption".

"The door remains open to the union to discuss this and find a way forward. In the meantime, we will continue to do all we can to keep the city moving and provide safe, regular and reliable services for our passengers while the union takes this unnecessary action".

A summary of the timetable changes is listed below:

Service 1/2 - frequency changes from every 12 to every 15 minutes.

Service 3 - frequency changes from every 10 to every 12 minutes.

Service 5 - frequency changes from every 15 to every 20 minutes.

Service 12 - frequency changes from every 10 to every 12 minutes.

Service 13/13A - frequency remains at every 15 minutes but times will change.

Service 14/14A - frequency remains at every 15 minutes, but times will change.

Service 16/16A - frequency remains at every 10 minutes, but times will change
.
Service 17 - frequency changes from every 10 to every 12 minutes.

Service 19 - frequency remains at every 20 minutes, but times will change.

Service 20 - unchanged

Service 21 - frequency changes from every 10 to every 12 minutes.

Service 23 - frequency changes from every 10 to every 12 minutes.

Service 25 - unchanged.

Service 27 - unchanged.

Service 40 - unchanged.

Service 80 - unchanged.


Night bus services 901, 902, 903, 904, 905 and 920 will not operate.

Full details of the special timetables can be found at www.firstgroup.com/aberdeen, from our travel centre at 47 Union Street or by calling Traveline Scotland on 0871 200 22 33.