Festive late-night buses

A late-night bus service to help clear Elgin town centre of revellers over the festive period has got off to an encouraging start.

Almost 50 people used the service when it was introduced last weekend and numbers are expected to increase as Christmas and New Year approach.

The initiative has come from the Moray Community Safety Partnership to help reduce alcohol-fuelled trouble in the town centre at a time of year when pubs and clubs are at their busiest.

Experience has shown that trouble can flare while people are waiting in the street for transport to take them home.

The bus service operates between 12.30am and 3.20am on two routes – Elgin to Forres via Lossiemouth and Burghead and Elgin to Buckie via Fochabers.

Passengers pay a flat fare of £3 and the buses carry marshals to ensure journeys are trouble-free.

Sergeant Grant McCutcheon, Grampian Police’s liaison officer with Moray Council, said 11 passengers had used the service last Friday night/Saturday morning and 36 on Saturday night/Sunday morning.

“Although it is still early for Christmas parties and such like, we are very pleased that nearly 50 people used the service at the weekend and everything went smoothly.

“There were no problems with passengers and everyone responded well to the marshals.

“As the season gets into full swing there will be a greater number using the service.”

Sgt McCutcheon added: “For women in particular this is a safe, reliable and affordable way to get home – the nearest thing we can provide to being walked home by a sober friend.”