Strathtay Scottish were bought by Stagecoach Group in 2005,[2] who continued to use the Tayway brand for their route 73 between Ninewells Hospital[a], Dundee, Broughty Ferry, Monifieth[b], Carnoustie[c], and Arbroath[d]. The 73, combined with the 73A, 73B and 73C runs every 15 minutes on weekdays. The service runs to a very similar timetable on Saturdays and runs half-hourly on Sundays.[g][3]
The route was notable for being the only bus route in the UK (outside of London) to retain bus conductors,[4] known locally as clippies. Conductors were found on most bus services in the area until the 1980s, when most buses became pay-on-entry, minimising the need for a second staff member on board. Conductors speed up journey times, minimising dwell time at bus stops en-route as the driver does not need to issue fares.[5] However, conductor-operation on the route was stopped in March 2020 as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, and it was later announced that conductors would not return to the route.[6]
In November 2014, Stagecoach announced a three-month trial of two New Routemaster buses. The trial was unsuccessful, with buses frequently breaking down, causing substantial delays.[7]
^Services 73A and 73B serve Ashludie instead of Carnoustie and Arbroath. Additionally, the 73A serves Ethiebeaton Park too.
^Service 73C ends at Carnoustie Westhaven Park on weekdays and Saturdays, but continues to Arbroath via Westhaven Park on Sundays, while services 73A and 73B don't serve Carnoustie and Arbroath.
^Service 73 only serves Arbroath mainly, but occasionally and all day on Sundays, service 73C serves Arbroath too.
.jpg)
