Outrage at plans to cut bus services
Proposed changes to the Stagecoach timetable across Perthshire have sparked “deep concern” over the future of bus services in the region.
Effective from Monday, April 29 the plans, announced on Tuesday, include the removal of some Perth city bus services as well as a reduction to other services.
Perthshire politicians this week pointed out that affordable public transport is essential - particularly during a cost-of-living crisis - and urged Stagecoach to rethink their plans.
The bus company however pointed to “significantly reduced passenger numbers post-pandemic.”
Passengers have until Sunday, March 10 to respond to the proposals.
Perth and North Perthshire MSP Pete Wishart said: “These Stagecoach timetable changes will come as terrible news to my constituents and will disproportionately impact rural and elderly households who are already at greater risk of social isolation.
“Maintaining regular, affordable public transport across Perth and Kinross is absolutely vital, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis when fuel prices remain skyhigh and, on that basis, I will be urging for Stagecoach to reconsider these proposals.”
SNP colleague Perthshire North John Swinney MSP commented: “The draft timetable changes from Stagecoach are deeply concerning.
“They will have a significant impact on the availability of bus services in a number of the communities I represent.
“I have already received a number of concerns from constituents and I will be engaging with Stagecoach to protect vital bus services that communities rely upon.”
Carse of Gowrie Labour councillor Alasdair Bailey said the plans “signal the death of bus services for rural Perth and Kinross-shire.”
He added: “In the Carse, it means that places like Invergowrie, Inchture and Errol will be left with no services through the day time at all. “This is devastating news and will, sadly, result in a lot of folk having no other option but to buy a car or move house.
“We can fight this though and hopefully Stagecoach will find a way to keep on some level of service to our rural villages or maybe another operator will step in.”
Stagecoach said in a statement this week: “In recent years we have been impacted by significantly reduced passenger numbers post-pandemic, with several passenger groups not returning to previous travel habits.
“Bus use remains 21 per cent below pre-pandemic levels in this area and with increased operating costs and our continued investment in new, greener vehicles, changes to our services are required to ensure we remain sustainable and continue to provide a reliable service.”
Stagecoach East Scotland managing director Douglas Robertson said this week: “Our proposals are designed to improve the longer term sustainability of the bus network across Perth & Kinross, whilst also recognising the financial pressures on bus operators and the reality of low usage in many areas.
“We appreciate these proposals will cause inconvenience or involve change for some people and any decisions will not be taken lightly.”
The proposed changes include:
■ withdrawal of daytime service 16 Dundee-perth between Monday and Saturday
■ reduction in service 23/23A/23X/27/27X Perthballinluig-aberfeldy or Pitlochry
■ withdrawal of service 8 Perth Mill Street-hillend and its replacement by revised service 7 Scone-city centreboxden-oakbank-hillend
■ withdrawal of some services on service 14/14A city centre-east Huntingtower-pitcairngreen
A full list of changes is available at: www. stagecoachbus.com/serviceupdates/
A public meeting at Invergowrie’s Bullionfield Hall about cuts to village bus services will take place on Thursday, March 7 at 7.30pm.