Consultation reveals plans to expand m.connect bus service, focusing on routes like the 309 and new on-demand options.
Many people were interested in service 309, which links Cullen to Keith station, going through Buckie and Portgordon. The expansion is part of a larger project called Bus Revolution, which started in 2023 and is funded by the Scottish Government and Moray Council.
Phase one improved service times and booking, added real-time tracking and introduced electric vehicles and new fares. Phase two includes more changes from spring 2025, with Buckie set to get an on-demand Saturday bus to Keith.
You can book trips by app or by calling 0300 123 4565.
Robertson noted the 309 service’s popularity. Initial users numbered only 300-400 a month, but by year’s end, it grew to 600 each month and is now expected to reach 1000 passengers monthly.
Saturday’s on-demand service will reveal travel habits, and this data will shape future routes and times. If you want to go from Cullen to Keith, book it because no set Saturday schedule exists.
The on-demand part is performing well; the old Dial M had only 180 monthly trips, but it’s now around 480 journeys per month. January had a peak of 615 trips.
Buckie and Keith show big growth across all phase one services. Dial M had 45,500 trips yearly, while M.connect phase one added 10,000 trips, and they expect 76,000 passengers this year.
New services earned great feedback, including those for Forres, Burghead, and Lossiemouth.
Planned changes include redesigning Speyside timetables for increased frequency and better links. A bus will run from Kingston to Elgin, linking areas like Larch Court to Elgin city, and Speyside will also gain Saturday buses. They’re buying four more accessible 16-seat buses, and more EV charging is coming for the buses.
More drop-in sessions are coming to Moray. Follow updates at www.moray.gov.uk/mconnect, but details for some March dates are still pending.