Garthdee Controlled Parking Zone meeting update
Liberal Democrat councillor for Mannofield, Airyhall, Braeside, Broomhill, Garthdee, Kaimhill and Ruthrieston Learn more
by Ian Yuill on 10 December, 2015
After First Aberdeen’s recent changes to bus services to Airyhall, Braeside and Mannofield a number of residents contacted me and asked whether Aberdeen City Council could run its own bus services.
I contacted the council’s legal team to get a answer to this question and have now received the following response from one of Aberdeen City Council’s legal staff:
“Local bus services can only be run if they have been registered. Anyone who holds an unconditional PSV operator’s licence can register a local bus service. The holder of a community bus permit can register a community bus service. Also, an education authority can register a school bus service provided by its own vehicles. Having spoken to the Traffic Commissioner’s Office, I understand that a local authority could apply for a PSV operator’s licence or community bus permit.
“Indeed, Scottish Borders Council appear to run a couple of bus services – see http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/downloads/file/3299/routes_911_912_ettrick_valley_services
“So, in theory, it would appear possible for a local authority to run its own local bus service. However, if this was to be seriously considered by ACC, it would be best to enter into discussions with Transport Scotland at an early stage.
“Local authorities also have the power to subsidise bus services under the Transport Act 1985. This power is, however, subject to restrictions and the state aid rules would need to be carefully considered in relation to any proposed subsidy. In practical terms, if ACC was contemplating subsidy, it would first need to undertake an assessment based on local need.”
8 Comments
Surely the argument is for ACC to put pressure on the company currently running the bus service to reinstate or reorganise their schedule structure for Airyhall / Craigiebuckler services to the satisfaction of the electorate.
Unfortunately neither Aberdeen City Council or the Scottish Government has any say over what routes and schedules a private bus operator provides. There is no real pressure that can be put on a bus company – beyond asking it to reconsider.
Bus services were deregulated in the 1980s and that means that, as a private company, First Aberdeen is free to provide – or not provide – whatever services it wishes, at a frequency it wishes and charge whatever level of fare it wishes. Any change in this would require legislation by the Scottish Parliament.
Hi I am interested if any progress was made regarding first bus suggestion of an alternative route running from Hazlehead to Garthdee.
I recently met the MD of First Aberdeen again and it seems pretty clear such a service would not be run without financial support from the council.
I don’t think the Council should further subsidise First services, as it is highly unlikely First are going to provide the kind of service residents would wish for e.g. greater frequency, reinstatement of routes, evening service and so on. It would be useful to gauge community support for a Council run bus service and this would be a very constructive proposal to take back to the next community meeting. Personally I would be more supportive of a not for profit Council run service which meets the needs of residents, than attempting to negotiate with a company whose primary responsibility is the needs of shareholders.
The council does not subsidise any First services.
The law allows the council to invite bus companies to tender to provide a service which the council believes is needed but the bus companies to not currently provide. If this was done, there is no guarantee that First would win the tender.
Setting up a council run service would be challenging as the council doesn’t have the infrastructure to support running a fleet of buses and creating that would be expensive. Incidentally, the cost of setting up the infrastructure and support needed to provide bus services is also a barrier to other bus companies setting up in Aberdeen and competing with First.
Ian,
given that local authorities do not subsidise Bus Companies, how is the “Free travel for the over 60’s” financed. The Bus Passes are issued by the L.A.’s
The free travel for over 60s is a national scheme funded by the Scottish Governemnt.