In good news for bus customers, local operator First Aberdeen revealed today that it has reduced the price of its ‘First Family Weekend’ ticket on a permanent basis. The decision follows a successful trial period which saw demand for the ticket significantly increase. Two adults and up to three children can now travel anywhere on the First Aberdeen network for just £6 (instead of £8).
The company also confirmed that in order to launch the new family friendly fares, the £6 price will be valid throughout the October school holidays and not just weekends.
To mark the introduction of the new £6 fare, First Aberdeen has teamed up with popular tourist attraction Satrosphere Science Centre. Throughout the holidays those using a First Family Weekend ticket can enjoy 20% off a Satrosphere family ticket. The award winning science centre, amongst a host of themed events in October, will give visitors the opportunity to explore space, aswell as a variety of sciences with a spooky twist.
First Aberdeen has also extended a number of fares promotions on other services:
· Service 11 (Northfield – city centre - Woodend) and Service 20 (Union Terrace – Hillhead of Seaton): First will extend its ‘Travel Trio’ trial, until 22 December. Customers can purchase return tickets for: £1.70 instead of £2 (stages 1-2); £2.80 reduced from £3.50 (Stages 3-5); or £3.30 down from £4.30 (Stages 6+).
· Service 40 (Park and Ride – Kingswells – City Centre): First will extend the promotion of its return ticket from Kingswells Village to the city centre. Usual return fare is £4.30 – promotional fare is £3.30.
Talking about the fares promotions, Director and General Manager of First Aberdeen, Duncan Cameron, said: “We want more people to travel on our buses – that’s why we are working hard to improve our services. We recognise that providing better value fares, where we can justify it, will help us encourage more people to consider bus travel.
“I’m delighted that as a result of an increase in customers using the First Family Weekend ticket we’ve knocked 25% off the price on a permanent basis. Offering that discount throughout the October holidays as well as weekends is common sense – lots of families will be looking to get out and about to keep the kids entertained. I’m pleased too that we’ve formed a partnership with Satrosphere – we’ve given customers the opportunity of a great day out at a much reduced price.”
He continued: “It’s also as a result of encouraging passenger numbers that we’ve extended promotions on Services 11, 20 and the Kingswells village return ticket. I’m hopeful that if the number of customers using these services continues to increase, we’ll be in a position to consider making the promotions permanent, as we’ve done with the First Family ticket.”
Lisa Tait, Marketing Manager at Satrosphere, said: “We’re delighted to team up with First and give families a great day out over the October school holidays at a fantastic price. We have a different workshop on every day over the two weeks, so whether it’s learning about space exploration, understanding the digestive system, creepy crawlies or our spooky Halloween night we have something that children and their parents will enjoy.”
First’s positive changes to some of its fares are part of a range of actions that First Aberdeen has been progressing to improve bus travel for its customers:
· First has invested £3.5million in 23 brand new buses this year. The new vehicles, which are fitted with leather seats and complementary wi-fi, entered service on July 1.
· First Aberdeen’s punctuality and reliability performance has never been better with 95% of all services leaving their terminus on time.
· The company is in the middle of a fleet refresh programme which will improve the exterior and interiors of many of its buses.
· In its most recent fares review (March 2013) First held in price or reduced the majority of its ticket types.
· First has launched a ‘Customer Promise’ whereby passengers can claim a free travel voucher if they are unhappy with any aspect of the service (within First’s control).
· First Aberdeen has secured the services of eight regular customers to form a Customer Panel to provide mystery shopper evaluations on its bus services.
· The company has run a number of promotions on various routes within its network in recent months.