GrassHOPPER, the multi-operator bus pass for the north east of Scotland, has won Partnership of the Year at the Scottish Transport Awards.
An operator-led joint project between Aberdeenshire Council, Stagecoach, First Aberdeen, Bain’s Coaches representing other bus operators, Aberdeen City Council and Nestrans, the integrated smart card for public transport was the first of its kind in Scotland.
It provides hassle-free bus travel to customers throughout Aberdeen City and Shire as only one ticket is needed to travel on local bus services provided by any operator.
What’s more, the ticket is great value for money as it is cheaper than buying multiple tickets for journeys involving more than one bus operator.
The GrassHOPPER Pass is available as a smart card removing the need for customers to carry paper tickets.
It is available on local bus services operated by Bain’s Coaches, Central Coaches, Deveron Coaches, First Aberdeen, J&M Burns, Kininmonth Cabs, Mid Deeside Ltd, Nicoll Coaches, Stagecoach North Scotland and Stagecoach East Scotland. Aberdeenshire Council administers the ticketing scheme on behalf of the bus operators.
A spokesperson for the partnership said
The GrassHOPPER Pass is an exciting, successful and award-winning partnership between private bus operators and the two local authorities.
It is one of many investments made by all the partners to improve the availability of bus travel and I’m very proud of what the team has achieved to break down barriers to using passenger transport.
Providing public transport in a large, rural area such as Aberdeenshire can be a real challenge, particularly when you want to integrate that with travel in a neighbouring city, but working together the partners in this project have shown, to the benefit of passengers, that it is possible.
GrassHOPPER passes can be bought direct from your bus driver. For further information including ticket zones and prices see: www.grasshopperpass.com
