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First Aberdeen introduces new ticketing options that reflect customers’ post-pandemic travel needs

  • Wide range of ticket options introduced to make bus travel easier across the city
  • Some fare prices will rise with ticketing updates, but most customers will see better value and flexibility overall

First Aberdeen is introducing a new range of ticketing options from 1st May 2022, offering customers greater flexibility and value when they travel by bus.

The ticketing updates have been designed to reflect today’s post-pandemic travel needs following a detailed analysis of passenger and purchasing data. As a result, First Aberdeen expects the new ticket options will help many customers save money.

Among the new, better value options are Two-Trip tickets (from £4.20 on the First Bus App), offering fairer prices to customers currently using a Day ticket to make just two journeys.  The introduction of a variety of flexible mobile tickets for Adults and Students, in addition to continued participation in the Scottish Government’s free travel for Under 22’s scheme, means First Aberdeen will ensure customers travelling by bus have greater choice of money-saving fares options.

The overhaul of First Aberdeen’s ticketing will see existing fares increase by an average of 5.7%. With the newly designed ticket options suiting the swift rise of hybrid working and the end of the traditional five-day commute, customers can take advantage of more cost-effective, flexible travel options compared to before. Within the ticket changes that are coming into effect, First Bus has ensured that no fares in the area will increase by more than the current CPI inflation rate of 7%.

Duncan Cameron, Managing Director at First Bus Scotland said: “The new pricing creates a simpler, fairer and more flexible choice of tickets. So whether you only travel on weekends, or are a ‘new normal’ commuter, our new tickets options reflect today’s real-world travel.  

“These changes are essential to allow us to continue to deliver services across the city for our customers. We have worked hard to keep any fare increases to a minimum – ensuring that no increase surpasses Consumer Price Inflation - and continues to offer customers the cheapest fares via the First Bus App.

““There’s never been a better time to make bus travel part of your everyday routine and we are confident that with these changes, we’ll see more of Aberdeen choose bus over car as their preferred mode of travel in the city, benefitting both the environment and their pockets”

More information can be found at firstaberdeen.com/fares

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Notes to editors

Notes to editors

About First Bus

First Bus is one of the UK’s largest bus operators. Making journeys easier for our customers, we were the first national bus operator to accept contactless card payments across all of our services and our First Bus App is voted ‘best in class’ amongst UK bus operators. Our most recent investments are in new, state-of-the-art buses across our key networks.

We work proactively with our local authority partners, making a positive impact on air quality, tackling congestion and improving customer experience. We are focused on First Bus becoming a leader in the transition to a low-carbon future and are committed to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035; we have pledged not to purchase any new diesel buses after December 2022. We also operate the Aircoach network in Ireland.

First Bus is a division of FirstGroup.

First Bus is an equal opportunity employer

First Bus is an excellent place to work with opportunities for a rewarding career. 

We are committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion. We believe diverse experiences and attitudes help us better understand the needs of our customers.

We are working to increase the number of females applying for bus driver roles within the business as we do believe businesses are more likely to have continued success if our bus companies reflect the communities that they serve.

For more information on First Bus: news-scot.firstbus.co.uk