Community engagement leads to better buses for Dundee
Bus passengers in Dundee will soon benefit from a fleet of brand new buses, increased services to the city centre and dedicated school routes as part of a series of changes announced by National Express Dundee.
From Sunday 27 June, several bus services across the city will change to provide more reliable and direct routes to key destinations. The majority of these changes are based on community engagement where customers explained where and when additional bus services were needed.
The bus company has also announced a £2.5 million investment in 15 new, easy access buses. The vehicles, built by Scania Omnilink, can carry over 60 passengers and have CCTV fitted throughout for passenger safety. They also boast a Euro 5 engine, which is amongst the cleanest on the market and will make a positive impact in reducing emissions in the city.
The Company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and plans for further investment are in the pipeline for later this year.
Lawrence Davie, Director National Express Dundee, said: "Our investment in new buses and upcoming service improvements and underlines National Express' commitment to the long term success of Dundee's bus network.
The vast majority of service changes are based on passenger feedback and we have relied heavily on community engagement to tell us what additional bus services are needed.
We appreciate change can be daunting but there are many benefits to local communities and the city centre. Dundee is continuously changing and bus services must change too. Our services will provide access to new employment and education opportunities, whilst still serving existing shops, hospitals and residential areas."
As part of the changes the outer and inner circle services are being replaced with a new service 3, 6, 25/26 and modifications to 8x/9x (being renamed 5a/5b), 11/12 and 14 services. The change was made following consultation with passengers who require faster, more direct bus services. As a result of the changes passengers will still be able to reach all the key destinations along the Northern Arc of the old outer circle route.
Key changes from Sunday 27 June include:
- The existing 8x/9x services are to be renamed 5a/5b and will serve the Broughty Ferry and Barnhill area every 15 minutes, providing a sought after City Centre and Ninewells link.
- Bus services 5a/5b, 6,11/12 ,17 and 22 will operate between the City Centre and Ninewells Hospital every five minutes between 0900 and 1500 Monday to Friday.
- An all day, Monday to Sunday service has been restored along the length of Perth Road.( 5a)
- Craigowl will have a bus up to every 7/8 minutes to the city centre following demand from local residents for increased services. (22)
- The Woodside service has been reconfigured after agreement with the new Residents Association and Dundee District Council.( 23)
- Service 14 will run every 30 minutes throughout the day from Sainsburys /Douglas to Ninewells however the existing extension to Panmurefield and Ethiebeaton Park is being withdrawn because of low passenger numbers.
- Panmurefield Village will have an increased bus service to city centre and Ninewells , with a bus every 15 minutes plus a bus every 30 minutes on the new 25/26 service. Access to these services will be at a new bus shelter which is being installed at North Balmossie Street and Balgillo Road.
- Albany Terrace and surrounding area will have a new No 3/3a service restoring a direct link to the city centre.
- The Inner Circular services 7 / 8 are being withdrawn but popular areas such as Albany terrace will be served by the new route 3/3a and Happyhillock by the revised 14.
- New routes 25 and 26 will operate across the city running through the estates north of the Kingsway from Broughty Ferry to Ninewells. This will provide a link every 30 minutes in each direction Monday to Friday and hourly at weekends.
- Increased number of journeys on services 22, 28 & 29 during peak times
- A dedicated set of school services with the letter 'S' will run in addition to the normal peak time services. The Company will issue to the schools concerned a leaflet detailing the changes before the end of term.
- The Outer Circular services are being withdrawn but are replaced with a new 25/26, 3/3a, 6, 11/12, and the revised No 5 services.
National Express Dundee will have printed copies of all timetables from early June 2010. Copies will be available to download from the website during week commencing 17 May. Alternatively, passengers who want more information in the meantime can visit the Travelshop on Commercial Street.
Download revised timetables
View route by route details of service changes (Part 1 - Services 1 - 14/14A)
View route by route details of service changes (Part 2 - Services 15 - 98A/98B)
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