X7 Coastrider

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X7 Coastrider
Strathtay 53717 (14179492695).jpg
An X7 bus, prior to the introduction of new coaches and extension of the route.
Overview
OperatorStagecoach East Scotland
Began serviceSeptember 12, 2011 (2011-09-12)
Route
StartPerth Royal Infirmary
ViaDundee, Arbroath, Montrose, Stonehaven
EndAberdeen bus station
Service
FrequencyHourly (end-to-end), some additional services between Stonehaven and Aberdeen

The X7 Coastrider is an hourly bus route between Perth and Aberdeen via Dundee operated by Stagecoach East Scotland. The service runs seven days per week.[1]

History[]

The route was introduced on 12 September 2011 and was initially operated by a fleet of six new Plaxton Elite coaches.[2] In 2014, Stagecoach purchased eight new Plaxton Elite-i interdeck coaches for the route. These began service on 24 November.[3] At this time, the southern terminus of the service was also extended from Dundee to Perth.[4] The extension replaced route number 333, which operated between Perth Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital.[5][6] A ninth coach was subsequently acquired for the route.[7] In 2020, additional services numbered X7 were introduced between Aberdeen and Stonehaven, some of which continue through Stonehaven, providing an additional town service.[8]

Criticism[]

The introduction of new coaches has been criticised by passengers who claim that they have insufficient space for wheelchair users, and that the steep stairs are hard to climb. The service is used by patients at Perth Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.[9] In response, Stagecoach stated that the vehicles meet Disability Discrimination Act standards and all had a space for a wheelchair user. The company stated in 2018 that the coaches were necessary to meet demand for the X7 service and that low-floor vehicles would have insufficient capacity.[10]

Despite this, in September 2017, the company introduced a service numbered X8 to increase the frequency of service between Perth and Arbroath and "providing an alternative option for customers who may struggle with the stairs on the X7".[7][11] The X8 route was withdrawn in 2018.[12][13]

References[]

  1. ^ "X7 timetable" (PDF). Stagecoach. 2020-02-24. Archived from Scotland/Strathtay/ESCOT_Strathtay_X7.pdf the original (PDF) on 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2021-05-02. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  2. ^ Hilson, Aaron (2011-09-13). "B9 Elites for new Stagecoach X7 service". CBW. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  3. ^ "Stagecoach invests £2.4m in Coastrider X7". CBW. 2014-11-18. Archived from the original on 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  4. ^ "New length Elite-i for Coastrider". Bus & Coach Buyer. 2014-11-13. Archived from the original on 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  5. ^ Jackson, Keith (2008-04-04). "New bus service between Perth and Ninewells is just the ticket". Daily Record. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  6. ^ "Perth connections with Dundee are ramped up with new coach service". Daily Record. 2014-11-19. Archived from the original on 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  7. ^ a b "Changes to bus timetables". Ian Mollison. 2017-06-24. Archived from the original on 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  8. ^ "Changes to bus timetable". Ian Mollison. 2020-02-03. Archived from the original on 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  9. ^ Clark, Rachel (2018-09-14). "Harrowing bus tales spark call for change". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  10. ^ Maher, Ryan (2018-08-07). "Stagecoach urged to improve disabled accessibility between Ninewells and Perth Royal Infirmary". The Courier. Archived from the original on 2021-05-15. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  11. ^ "New Dundee bus service welcomed". Evening Telegraph. 2017-09-05. Archived from the original on 2019-05-21. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  12. ^ Burdge, Richard. "Campaigners claim Tayside hospital link service is vital". The Courier. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  13. ^ Cargill, Paul (2018-03-16). "Hospital bus cuts a massive blow to X8 users". Daily Record. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
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