Aberdeen’s Rapid Transit (ART) will go ahead despite worries it may “no longer be tangible”.
Nestrans launched the ambitious plans to create a new transport system which would in essence operate like a tram, but using specialist buses, in November 2022.
There would be a route from Blackdog to Westhill, and one from Craibstone to Portlethen via Aberdeen city centre.
The project aims to offer fast, frequent and reliable services, with the two criss-crossing routes, new mobility hubs and park and rides and was planned to be running by 2030.
This timeline shows how leaders hoped to make progress:
The regional transport body has been working alongside First Bus, Stagecoach, and both Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils to make this plan a reality.
However, concerns have since been raised about the “costs, value for money, and deliverability” of the scheme.
Kirsty Chalmers, transport executive at Nestrans, gave an update on the project to councillors at an Aberdeen City Council meeting this week.
What has been spent so far and how is it being funded?
Though there’s no definite price tag on the project yet, it is thought it will cost at least £150 million.
During the meeting, SNP finance convener Alex McLellan asked for a breakdown of what has been spent on the project so far.
Ms Chalmers explained that £1.7m has been ploughed into the plans already, which has come from the Scottish Government.
A chunk of the funding has been used to undertake studies and surveys.
There has also been a “significant amount” spent on communicating and engaging with the public about the project.
Council planning chief David Dunne stepped in, explaining the team was asked to engage with more businesses across the city centre and further afield.
He added: “There’s been a lot of interest from the airport, from the hospital partners we’ve engaged with so far, and the universities.
“So it’s looking along those corridors to see what other engagement we can do with businesses to show them the benefits and talk to them about the challenges they have.
“But as I say, so far the engagement has been really positive.”
What next for Aberdeen Rapid Transit plan?
Ms Chalmers told councillors £1.74m in funding has been secured through the City Region Deal.
This funding is in place until 2027 and will be spent on business case developments.
Meaning there are yet more studies, surveys and reports to be carried out before the wheels are fully in motion.
She also said the rapid transit system could take another five to 10 years before it starts ferrying passengers across the city and Shire.
Conservative councillor Duncan Massey asked if it would be possible to remove the Westhill to Aberdeen route, and instead focus on the airport to Portlethen stretch first.
This, he hoped, might speed things up.
Ms Chalmers assured it would be a phased approach, and there would “need to be decisions made on what elements come first”.
According to Mr Dunne, the Belfast Glider — which ART is based on — was also rolled out in this way.
He explained that one route was introduced first, which was a “huge success”, then the second route came later and was “tweaked” using the lessons learned.
Concerns Aberdeen Rapid Transit is ‘no longer tangible’
However, Scottish Labour councillor Deena Tissera expressed concerns about the project – and future funding beyond 2027.
She damned it as a “fantasy project” that has been “left in limbo”.
The councillor went on to say: “It struck me as I was reading this report that in essence Aberdeen City Council is trying to cling to something that is becoming increasingly obvious that is no longer tangible.
“I think it’s very clear that all we may be doing is spending money on a project that will simply not happen without Scottish Government money.
“I do not see that support coming.”
Meanwhile, councillor Alex Nicoll questioned the route, saying Queen’s Road would have been the “obvious” choice, but was discounted.
He then went on to ask what would happen if the scheme was scrapped.
Ms Chalmers said bus priority measures, like bus lanes, could still end up being put along the route to improve existing services.
‘An ambitious project’
The plans were ultimately pushed forward by councillors.
Vice-convener Miranda Radley thanked officers for their update saying it was “positive” to see the progress of the ART proposals.
She said: “The vision of the Aberdeen Rapid Transit is to provide a modern and attractive alternative to private cars.
“Hopefully, we can get to a point where the vision of ART can be delivered in the next five to 10 years.
“Myself and a number of colleagues have visited successful rapid transit systems. We visited the Belfast glider with Nestrans and there is also the Bristol Metro Bus, similar schemes are being worked up in other places as well such as the West Midlands.”
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