First Aberdeen - Fare increases

First Aberdeen have announced fare revisions across their network to be implemented from Sunday 1st May 2022. The key fare changes are summarised below for information.
This is the first fare change on First Aberdeen services since July 2019 and First Aberdeen has advised that no fares will increase by more than the current CPI inflation rate and the newly designed options are better suited for the emergence of a hybrid working model and the end of the traditional five-day commute.

First will also continue to operate “tap and cap” which allows customers to enter a capping environment on any service across the First Aberdeen network using contactless payments. First’s system will then select the cheapest fare based on their usage so customer’s pay for the most appropriate ticket depending on how they use the bus in a single day.

SINGLE TICKETS

Category                 Current            New         %Change

Adult 1-5 Stages     £1.70               £1.80        5.9%

Adult  6+ Stages     £2.70               £2.85        5.6%

Child                      £1.25               £1.30        4.0%

P&R                                               £1.30        N/A

RETURN TICKETS

A new 2 trip ticket will be introduced, which must be used within 24 hours:

                               On Bus            App 

Adult £4.20 £4.20

FIRST DAY TICKET

Category              On Bus     On Bus     %Change      App        App   %Change

                            Current     New                         Current   New

Adult                   £4.40        £4.70        6.8%           £4.20     £4.45    6.0% 

Child                   £2.60        £2.75        5.8%           £2.50     £2.50    6.0%

Student               £3.80        £4.00        5.3%           £3.70     £3.95    6.8%

Family/Group      £8.00        £8.50        6.3%           £7.50     £8.00    6.7%

FLEXI DAY TICKETS

This is a new range of Flexible Day Tickets, available in the First App only, to better  suit hybrid working and represent better value for customers who currently purchase  weekly or monthly tickets,

The new options provide: 

• 3-in-7: 3 day tickets to be used over a 7 day period. 

• 5-in-7: 5 day tickets to be used over a 7 day period 

• 15-in-28: 15 day tickets to be used over a 28 day period.

Category                 3-in7                5-in-7          15-in28

Adult                       £13.00             £17.50         £52.00

Student                    £11.50             £16.00         £47.00

FIRST WEEK TICKET

Category       On Bus      On Bus     %Change         App            App      %Change

                      Current      New                            Current       New

Adult             £18.00       £19.20        6.7%           £16.99     £18.10        6.5% 

Child             £8.90         £9.50          6.7%           £8.50       £9.00          5.9%

Student         £16.00       £17.00        6.3%           £15.50     £16.50        6.8%

FIRST 4 WEEK TICKETS

Category                 Current             New          % Change

Adult                       £64.99             £69.50         6.9%

Child                       £31.99             £34.20          6.9%

Student                    £54.00             £57.50         6.5%

If you require any further information or wish to discuss the matter further, please do  not hesitate to contact the team at publictransport@aberdeencity.gov.uk.  

James Hutton Institute - Master plan

Following the exhibition event and consultation period that was undertaken for the Craigiebuckler Campus Masterplan, the Institute have been reviewing the responses that have been received from staff,  the general public and other interested parties. 

The Institute have said that, across the comments received, there were similar themes and questions being asked.  Thery have therefore prepared a summary of the key questions with their answers provided. 

The summary is available to view on the James Hutton Institute’s website at 

https://www.hutton.ac.uk/about/craigiebuckler-campus-developments-feedback-public-consultation

Minutes of Meeting 26 April 2022

The minutes of the Community Council meeting held on Tuesday 26th April can now be viewed or download by clicking here.

The next meeting of the Community Council, again to be held on Zoom, will be on Tuesday 24th May 2022. Anyone wishing to attend should contact the secretary by email (click here) for access details.

ALL WELCOME

April Meeting - Agenda

The next meeting of the Community Council will be on Tuesday 26th April 2022. The meeting will be on ZOOM and will start at 7pm prompt.

The Community Council's draft annual statement of account will be presented by the Treasurer for approval.  The draft Statement of Account can be viewed by clicking here.

Anyone wishing to attend should contact the Secretary by email at bandmcommcouncil@gmail.com for details on how to access the zoom meeting.

To view the Agenda - click here

ALL WELCOME

Police Report - March 2022

The local Community Policing Team report has been issued - 

"This report covers progress we have made in dealing with your priorities during March 2022. The report aims to highlight emerging issues in your area, and to provide crime prevention advice and guidance. Our focus is to reduce crime and disorder, help create safer communities and respond effectively to local concerns.

Community Policing Priorities
Antisocial behaviour, Violence and Disorder:
On the evening of Sunday 6th March officers attended an address in the Craigielea Avenue area after reports of ongoing noise, this resulted in a male being warned and subsequently charged in relation to excessive noise from the property.

Anti-social behaviour and noise issues can cause real issues to those suffering it, this can be reported in numerous ways and predominantly via the Aberdeen City Council Antisocial Behaviour Investigation Team (ASBIT) 0800 0510434 (phone line 9am 4am daily) or online ASBIT@aberdeencity.gov.uk or it can also be reported to your local housing office or to Police Scotland on 101. Finally, if you wish to remain anonymous, via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously

Acquisitive Crime:

Officers are making enquiries into the theft of items from an insecure vehicle parked on Great Western Road, Aberdeen that has occurred between Friday 18th and Monday 21st March.

We continue to encourage us all to remain vigilant, to report suspicious activity timeously via 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. Can I also urge us all to ensure we are locking our vehicles, please check and check again as above highlights the opportunism of these criminals.

Road Safety & Road Crime:
There have been no specific incidents of note in relation to Road Safety / Road Crime this month.

We continue to work with partners in response to specific complaints in terms of road traffic offences. Residents in the areas affected by antisocial driving are encouraged to contact Police on 101 at the time, to report incidents and provide as much of a description as possible of the vehicle(s)/person(s) in order for us to take positive action.

Community Engagement & Reassurance

We encourage everyone to report incidents of hate that they experience or witness. If you have been targeted because of your disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity, we want you to report it. If you are aware of someone else being targeted, we also want you to report it.

What is hate crime?
Being targeted for your disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity could be considered a hate crime. You can also be targeted for more than one characteristic or perceived characteristic. 

Hate crimes can include but are not limited to:

• Assault
• Verbal abuse
• Damage to property
• Threatening behaviour
• Robbery
• Harassment
• Online abuse.

Police Scotland and hate crime
Police Scotland takes hate crime very seriously. We will take appropriate action and do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice. 

Everyone in Scotland has rights that protect them from hate crime. Whether you live in Scotland, are here to work, or are visiting Scotland, you are protected by law from hate crime. This includes if you are currently seeking asylum or refugee status. 

If English is not your first language, we will seek the assistance of an interpreter/BSL interpreter for you. This is to help you give us your report in your first language. We want you to feel safe and comfortable when speaking to us. Where possible we will arrange to speak with you at a place you feel comfortable. You can also have a support person present. 

Reporting a hate crime

We will listen to you, provide support and take appropriate action. Here is a summary of what will happen when you report a hate crime:

1. We will listen to you, your report will be investigated and we will offer you victim support
2. You will be contacted by an officer either by phone, in person or by your preferred method of contact
3. Police Scotland will take appropriate action and you will be kept informed 
4. If Police Scotland has enough evidence, the person responsible will be charged with the offence and reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
5. If there is not enough evidence we will still record your report as a hate incident and offer you support*
6. Once your case is with the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal service you will be kept updated on the progress of your case.

*It is important to still report non-criminal hate incidents. This helps us get a clearer picture of what is happening in Scotland and where to focus our attention.

• You can contact us and report hate crime in the following ways: 
• By phoning 999 (emergency) 101 (non-emergency)
• In person at any police station
• By completing a hate crime reporting form
• At a Third Party Reporting Centre
• Text 999 (registered users only)
• Contact Scotland-BSL
• Keep Safe Scotland App

Getting support when reporting hate crime

In some cases victims and witnesses of hate crime do not feel comfortable reporting the matter directly to the police. They may feel more comfortable reporting it to someone they are familiar with or they may want support when they report.

To ensure everyone is able to report hate crime, Police Scotland works closely with a wide variety of partners who perform the role of Third Party Reporting Centres. These partners have been trained to assist people in submitting a report to the police and can make reports on your behalf. If you become a victim of crime or wish further advice you can contact Police Scotland by calling 101 or report through our website www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us

As always, if you see or are the victim of crime please do report this.

Follow us on Twitter @NorthEPolice #WestEndCPT

Also available are the three following contact email addresses for the West End:
AiryhallBroomhillGarthdeeCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
HazleheadAshleyQueensCrossCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
TorryFerryhillCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk

Contact Us
Please also remember you can communicate with us using any of the following:

• 101 – Non emergency;
• Twitter - @NorthEPolice;
• Facebook – www.facebook.com/NorthEastPoliceDivision;
• Web – www.scotland.police.uk;
• 999 – Emergency;
• 0800 555 111 - Crimestoppers."