Axing hospital bus link ‘reprehensible’
A former councillor – who helped set up a bus link from Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) to Ninewells in Dundee – has called Stagecoach’s plan to axe the service “reprehensible”.
The hospital link X7 is the only service not to be given a reprieve as part of wide sweeping proposals to cut services which sparked outrage across the community.
Following anger about the changes – led by residents in the Carse of Gowrie who stood to be cut off by the loss of a day time service – Stagecoach chief operating officer Sam Greer and Perth and Kinross Council’s (PKC) chief executive Thomas Glen met on Friday.
Afterwards PKC announced that both parties agreed “no changes to services – other than the X7 – will be introduced before May 27” and Stagecoach said talks were “constructive”.
But Willie Wilson who worked as a project manager for the health service and developed the outline business plan for the inter-hospital bus service slammed the plans to ditch it.
The former Liberal Democrat Perth City South councillor said: “It’s reprehensible that the X7 service is to be cut without really much consultation. I think to delay the others and not to delay it is even more reprehensible.
“Alongside the 16 it’s one of the most used services.
“It affects patients going to out-patient clinics, visitors and staff.
“It’s going to have a major impact. It would be a huge loss.”
He added that the proposal “flies in the face of common sense and equity” and said: “Twenty years ago, when I worked as a project manager for the health service, I developed the outline business plan for the inter-hospital bus service.
“The early bus service worked very well. Unfortunately Stagecoach introduced totally unsuitable buses when the X7 service was introduced.
“This saga continues. Instead of scrapping the hospital bus Stagecoach should accept their social and moral responsibilities and retain the hourly service and reintroduce a low level accessible bus to the route.”
The X7 Coastrider runs from Aberdeen to Perth. Stagecoach has proposed withdrawing the section of the X7 service which runs between Perth and Dundee “due to low demand”.
The bus operator said: “Alternative services between Perth City Centre and Dundee via the A90 are provided by Scottish Citylink service M8 on a similar frequency to the current X7 timetable.”
On February 27, Stagecoach announced a raft of unpopular cuts to its services in Perth and Kinross due to come into force from April 29. Passengers had 12 days to take part in the consultation which closed on Sunday, March 10.
On Wednesday, March 6 Perth and Kinross Council unanimously called on Stagecoach to rethink its timetable change proposals.
Perthshire North SNP MSP John
Swinney held four public meetings about the proposals - which he called “ludicrous” and “unacceptable” - in Bertha Park, Errol, St Madoes and Invergowrie.
The Carse of Gowrie looked to be the worst affected in Perth and Kinross by Stagecoach’s wider cuts proposals.
Carse of Gowrie Conservative councillor Angus Forbes said: “I am pleased that the council’s chief executive has managed to persuade Stagecoach to extend the timescale by a month; this will allow a little more time to try and find a solution to this huge problem.
“The Carse is an expanding area and new residents are telling me that they moved here partly due to the regular bus services and many are now considering selling up and moving elsewhere.
“I would urge Stagecoach to pay heed to the views of all local politicians and the many people who have submitted responses to their consultation and abandon their plans completely.”
Labour Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey said: “My hope and wish is that this additional time allows for a compromise to be found that ends with the Carse still retaining some shape of bus service.
“Without it, there will be hundreds of people left at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to accessing healthcare, education, and work not to mention visiting friends and family.
“It’s unfortunate that the X7 can still be cancelled or altered by Stagecoach according to the original timescales and I’m sure that council officers will have also fought hard to impress the importance of that service for people in Glendoick and Inchmichael which have no other service.
“If the X7 is cut then it will have a profound impact on the workers at the garden centre at Glendoick.”
Stagecoach East Scotland managing director Douglas Robertson said: “We had a constructive discussion with Perth and Kinross Council on Friday , March 8, outlining our original proposals and the cost pressures to continue operating several loss-making routes.
“The delayed start date for any service revisions in Perth and Kinross will allow for further analysis of the options in the hope that we can continue to provide positive public transport links and use the feedback received from the community through our online consultation to shape any adjustments to the proposals.”
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “NHS Tayside provided a response outlining the potential impacts on the whole system of health and care to the Stagecoach consultation.
“We await feedback from Stagecoach now that the consultation period has come to a close.”
SNP council leader Grant Laing said: “I am pleased Stagecoach is willing to hold off on making any changes to services until we can - working together - fully understand their potential impact on our communities.
“This will give time for the council to work with Stagecoach on how best to deliver services where and when they are most needed.”