A leading Perth businessman and one of the city’s top cultural attractions have welcomed a new bus service.
John Bullough, chair of the Perth City Development board, has praised the new nightrider bus service provided by Stagecoach, claiming it will boost Perth’s night time economy, as well as providing cheap transport for residents across Tayside and Fife.
The service, which was launched earlier this week, will see passengers pay £2 for a ticket that gives them unlimited bus travel after 7pm, until the last journey of the evening, to an end time of 4am the following morning.
The ticket is valid throughout Perth and Kinross, Dundee, Fife and Angus. However, it is not valid for services to Edinburgh, Cumbernauld/Glasgow, Falkirk/Forth Valley, Stirling, or north of Montrose to Aberdeen.
A ticket can be bought from a bus driver from 7pm on any evening of the week, and can then be used on any subsequent journeys the same evening or early the following morning. A nightrider ticket can also be used on night services N55 and N99.
On Wednesday, Mr Bullough described the new bus service as “significant news for Perth” and stated he believes it will boost the city’s night-time economy.
“‘As well as our growing retail offering, Perth has a fabulous reputation for food and drink, and our night-time economy is growing fast,’ he commented.
“Nothing is more important to city centre businesses than footfall. Affordable and frequent public transport is key to delivering this.
“Stagecoach’s nightrider ticket will be a welcome boost for existing businesses throughout the county and will encourage more people to try our increasing number of quality bars and restaurants.”
Louisa Evans, head of development for Horsecross Arts, the organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, added: “We are delighted to support the new nightrider ticket from Stagecoach.
“With the ever busy programme of evening events at Perth Concert Hall, and the transformed Perth Theatre poised to reopen, we are sure that this initiative will be a great help to our audiences, staff and local communities.”
