Making a Difference

Improving Travel Facilities, Choices and Safety

Bus Journeys on the Increase in Moray

Efforts to encourage more people to make greater use of public transport and leave their cars at home seem to be finally paying off.

According to operators Stagecoach a growing number of people are choosing the bus as their preferred mode of transport.  More than 2.6 million bus journeys were made with Stagecoach in the local area in the 12 months to April this year - an increase of 8.6% compared with the previous year.

Bus passengers have benefited from a number of service improvements as a result of initiatives between the Council and Stagecoach.  The Bluebird service between Moray and Inverness now runs up to every 20 minutes, allowing people in the area fast and frequent travel to shops and attractions in Elgin and Inverness.  An additional 27 accessible low floor coaches have been introduced, making it easier for families, the elderly and the disabled to use public transport.  All new buses are also fitted with state-of-the-art environmentally-friendly engines.

"This is a great public transport success story for Moray.  It shows what can be achieved when there is a strong partnership approach between good bus operators and proactive partners."

William Mainus, Operations Manager, Stagecoach Bluebird (Moray)