Stagecoach launch faster bus service between Aberdeen and Inverness
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Four new specially branded coaches have come into service on the A96 offering faster bus between Aberdeen and Inverness via Elgin seven days a week.
The vehicles will make limited stops along the route including at Blackburn, Huntly, Keith, Fochabers, Elgin, Alves, Brodie and Nairn with a total journey time of just over three hours and leave Aberdeen at 7.30am, 9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 5.30pm for Inverness with runs terminating at Elgin leaving at 7.30pm and 9.30pm on a daily basis.
Services from Inverness depart at 7.15am, 9.15am, 11.15am, 1.15pm, 3.15pm and 5.15pm for Aberdeen and 7.15pm and 9.15pm for Elgin.
The new service M96 has been named The Gordon Highlander, in tribute to the historic local infantry regiment which operated for 200 years before being amalgamated in 1994.
Chief Executive of The Gordon Highlanders Museum, John McLeish, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Stagecoach in launching The Gordon Highlander service that runs through the heartland of traditional Regimental recruiting territory.
"We hope that this will inspire more people to re-connect with their family history and to visit our much-loved Museum here in Aberdeen.”
Major Grenville Irvine Fortescue DL, Chairman of The Gordon Highlanders Association, said “I’m delighted that Stagecoach has chosen to ‘fly the flag’ in memory of the Regiment and its very proud 200 year history. I am sure that Gordon Highlanders throughout the north east will enjoy making use of the service on these special Regimental coaches”.
Stagecoach North Scotland Managing Director, David Beaton, said: “The new Gordon Highlander service further increases options for sustainable travel in the North of Scotland.
"Choosing to travel by bus is one of the easiest ways to address climate change through carbon reduction of our own
journeys.
"We’re honoured to name the service after the Gordon Highlanders regiment, whose ranks formed part of the local communities we serve today.”
As part of Stagecoach’s ongoing commitment to support the Armed Forces, it has confirmed that free travel will be available on all its bus and tram services across the UK for military and ex-military personnel on Armed Forces Day.
Armed Forces Day – on Saturday, June 24- is a chance for the public to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets.
Stagecoach also offers free bus and tram travel every year for veterans and military personnel on Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday.
