Bus gate fines to fund free late-night city buses

Free festive weekend late-night buses funded by bus gate fines are being introduced in Aberdeen.

The 10 routes are to run from Saturday until 5 January.

The buses will connect the city centre with other parts of Aberdeen and outlying parts of Aberdeenshire. They will run between midnight and 03:30 from Fridays into Saturdays and Saturdays into Sundays.

The free journeys are being funded from the fines collected through the controversial city centre bus gate scheme which was introduced last year.

Last month the council voted to make a package of city centre measures - including bus gates - permanent.

They are intended to improve access, but have been strongly criticised by some residents and businesses.

Some have said footfall and profits have dropped since the bus priority measures were introduced.

Aberdeen City Council said the provision of the night bus services would support the night-time economy, and would be reviewed after the initial trial period.

Kingswells, Westhill, Banchory, Cove and Stonehaven are among the areas which will also be connected.

Adrian Watson, chief executive of business body Aberdeen Inspired, said: "The importance of night buses to Aberdeen cannot be underestimated in terms of getting people home reliably and safely after a night out while boosting the night-time economy."