'Bus Revolution' set for Moray

Rural residents should find it easier to get around thanks to the £4.3millon Bus Revolution scheme set to be introduced in Moray.

A fleet of five electric buses – rising to about 20 – will be available for passengers to book either by phone or using a new Uber-style app.

They will run from 4am-midnight every day of the week expect Sundays when their operational hours will be 7am-10pm.

It's also planned the vehicles will have Wi-Fi and re-charging points.

The Bus Revolution scheme is being paid for by the multi-million pound Moray Growth Deal, announced jointly by the UK and Scottish governments back in 2020.

Moray Council today discussed a report prepared by Nicola Moss, its transport manager.

The report stated that during a public consultation 40% of people had indicated they would use the service regularly, while a further 20% had said occasionally.

It also stated that a traditional timetabled service was not commercially viable in many rural areas of Moray.

The report added: "Bus Revolution is a build on the council’s existing Dial M demand-responsive bus service which operates up to 12 vehicles each weekday between 9.30am and 2.30pm, utilising vehicles that are also used for school and social care transport.

"Bus Revolution sees this fleet size increase over the lifespan of the project, initially with the injection of an additional five operational vehicles enabling the service to operate in the peak hours where existing vehicles are currently fully utilised.

"It is anticipated that a total of 20 additional vehicles will be introduced over the life of the project. There is flexibility in the project remit to adapt, with either more smaller vehicles or fewer larger vehicles to adapt to the emerging demand profile."

The scheme received warm backing in the chamber, with the council's leader Kathleen Robertson (Forres, Conservative) going as far as to call it "very exciting".

Juli Harris (Speyside/Glenlivet, SNP) said: "How transport could be improved in Moray is one of the most asked questions from constituents.

"This is going to give people a greater access to work in Speyside and elsewhere. We're very much looking forward to this."

Derek Ross (Speyside/Glenlivet, Independent) said: "I welcome the Bus Revolution and wish it well. Anything that lessens the effects of isolation for people post-Covid is a great thing. I hope people will use the scheme."

View the full 122-page report HERE