A full-size Aberdeen Rapid Transit (ART) demo vehicle will be unveiled today (Thursday, 4 June 2026) in Broad Street, giving the public a first look at what a future mass transport system could look like in the North East.
The vehicle, which is on loan from Irizar e-mobility, has been branded in ART project colours and will visit locations across the region over the next eight days. The visit gives the public a chance to see a tram-style vehicle first hand while it undertakes initial route testing.
The Aberdeen Rapid Transit project is exploring options for a high-quality, zero-emission mass transport system for the North East, designed to improve connectivity between key communities and support regional net zero ambitions.
The demonstrator visit comes as work continues on an Outline Business Case for the project, funded by the Aberdeen City Region Deal.
Paul Finch, Director of Nestrans, who are leading the project in partnership with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils, said: “The North East needs a transport system that supports the way we live and work, connecting communities with major employment, education and leisure destinations. This demo vehicle is one way of helping people visualise that wider ambition and understand how ART could support the region in the years ahead.
“What we’ve heard so far from people and stakeholders is that the design of future vehicles matters, with strong support for a branded, zero-emission, tram-style vehicle.
“We’re taking the demonstrator along the proposed routes to help people understand what that style of vehicle would look and feel like, but this is only one example. When you see the vehicle first hand it helps shape an understanding of what features and standards should be considered as the project develops.”
Over the next eight days the public will be able to view the vehicle and speak with the project team at the following locations:
Thursday 4th June: Aberdeen City Centre
2pm – 4pm, outside Marischal College, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1AB
Friday 5th June: Aberdeen City Centre
11am – 3pm, outside Marischal College, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1AB
Monday 8th June: Westhill
10am – 11.30am, outside Westhill Library, Westhill Drive, Westhill AB32 6TG
Tuesday 9th June: Kingswells
11am – 2pm, Kingswells Causeway, Prime Four Business Park, Kingswells, AB15 8PU
Wednesday 10th June: P&J Live, Aberdeen
11am – 2pm, East Burn Road, Stoneywood, Aberdeen AB21 9FX
Thursday 11th June: Portlethen
11:30am – 1pm, Bruntland Road, opposite Fern Drive, Portlethen, AB12 4QL
Further information on the ART project is available from www.aberdeenrapidtransit.org
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Background
Aberdeen Rapid Transit (ART) is exploring options for a high-quality, zero-emission public transport system for the North East. The two preferred cross city routes for ART stretch from Portlethen to Craibstone and Westhill to Blackdog.
ART aims to offer frequent, reliable services with features including bus priority, off board fare collection, fast and efficient boarding and alighting. It seeks to provide high-capacity and high-quality vehicles, that offer journey times competitive to car and is fully integrated into the wider transport network. It would provide an attractive way to travel, being accessible and easy to use.
Key features include:
- Priority for buses through dedicated lanes and signal priority,
- High quality stops that feature level boarding, lighting, CCTV, shelters with seating;
- Mobility hubs that provide park and ride opportunities;
- High-capacity multi-door zero emission vehicles; ticketing that can be purchased off vehicle and real time information for journey planning.
Nestrans and its partners Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council are working to develop the vision for ART as part of wider efforts to establish the North East as a revitalised, inclusive, sustainable and better-connected place in which to live, work study and visit.
The Aberdeen City Region Deal is a partnership between Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Opportunity North East, Scottish Government and UK Government. The Deal is one delivery mechanism for the regional economic strategy and is investing in sector innovation projects and infrastructure to support economic diversification and resilience. Signed in November 2016, both Governments committed to jointly investing up to £250 million over a 10-year period. These commitments form part of an overarching £826 million funding package for the Aberdeen City Region Deal.