Aberdeen bus boss’ pledge over fares
‘No summer increase for First passengers’
Published:
ABERDEEN’S new bus boss today vowed fares would stay the same over the summer.
Bob Dorr – managing director of First Aberdeen – said the earliest review would be in September.
And Mr Dorr, who has taken over the Aberdeen bus firm from previous chief George Mair pledged to put “people” first.
But he also warned more bus lanes and priority measures were needed to improve services in Aberdeen.
Lincolnshire-born Mr Dorr, 55, said: “We can only deliver with good strong working relationships with partners.
“We’re not anti-car – we’re pro-public transport. I am passionate about public transport and I am committed to delivering safe, reliable and punctual bus services.”
Mr Dorr was a driver and later a traffic manager at Lincoln City Transport before joining Stagecoach as operations director for Cheltenham and Gloucester.
He moved to FirstGroup in 2006 and was managing director of First Essex – where he won the group’s safety award – before it merged with the Eastern Counties bus firm earlier this year.
He said: “This is a very exciting time for First in Aberdeen. The history of First is firmly rooted in the city and it makes me very proud to be a part of that history.”
FirstGroup has faced criticism for increasing fares and cutting jobs while making massive profits.
But Mr Dorr said: “Profit isn’t a dirty word. We need it to invest in the future.”
The city’s new bus boss said he was looking for a home on a bus route – so he can take his own services to work.
