Central Buchan Bus Services

What you told us

The Central Buchan Bus Survey was live from the 27th October 2025 to 2nd January 2026 and received 256 responses. The council supports the current Central Buchan A2B on-demand bus service, and the contract is due to expire in August 2026.

The purpose behind the survey was to consult with the local community - both users and non-users of the current Central Buchan A2B bus service - to help us shape the bus service provision in the area for the next 5 years.

The primary focus of the survey was to gather information and opinions on either continuing the current Central Buchan A2B bus service, or replacing it with a fixed route timetabled bus service. We provided an example of a fixed timetable service within the survey, as a point of comparison with the current Central Buchan A2B service. We asked questions on how either type of service might meet, or not meet, the bus service requirements of the local area.

The feedback showed that 62% wanted the A2B bus service to continue, compared to 38% who would prefer a fixed timetable bus service. A higher percentage of respondents than not believed that the current A2B service satisfied more of their transport requirements than a fixed route service would. There were many responses that commented on the pros and cons of both types of bus service which are very helpful.

There was also a clear lack of awareness or understanding regarding the current A2B bus service. Many respondents do not perceive that A2B is a bus service and available to all residents. Many respondents expressed a demand for an online booking system, currently bookings can only be placed either by phone or email request.

What we’re doing

The Council’s Passenger Transport Unit will tender for both types of bus service provision to ensure dial-a-bus remains value for money, while taking into account the views of the majority of survey respondents and will include an option for an earlier start as requested by 60% of survey respondents. We will award a contract based on available budget and which type of service will best meet the transport demands of the area, while delivering best value to the Council.

A minority of respondents asked for a combination of both types of service. This wouldn’t be an option for the following reasons:

• We could not have fixed route in peak times and dial-a-bus in off peak times because this would mean the majority of current peak trips could not be accommodated (too many transport request variables and wouldn’t accommodate those in more rural parts of Central Buchan).
• It would not be an appropriate use of scarce council budget to have both types of bus services operating throughout the day. There is not enough demand in the area to justify the significant investment that would be required to operate both services in peak times, which is where costs are mainly generated from.

We are also currently working to bring in an online booking system, which will be available 24/7 to users of the Central Buchan A2B service. If testing is successful, we are hopeful to launch this in the first half of 2026.

Based on comments received in the survey, there is a lack of awareness within the area of the current A2B bus service, and we will explore promotion opportunities to raise awareness of the current A2B service.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey, the responses were helpful and informative. A link to a report and analysis of the responses can be viewed here: Survey report | Central Buchan Bus Services | Engage Aberdeenshire

You can also view the original project page here: Central Buchan Bus Services | Engage Aberdeenshire