Unrest over bus services

CAB’s survey result

Monklands residents have hit out at the frequency of bus services in Airdrie and Coatbridge.

A survey conducted by the towns’ citizens advice bureaux found 73 per cent of respondents identified regular buses as the most important aspect of the service – with only 29 per cent saying they were satisfied.

The findings also revealed that 40 per cent of people use the bus to travel between two and six times per week and 17 per cent can’t get to their local GP surgery or hospital by bus.

And 80 per cent of residents surveyed are dissatisfied with the “means of getting help from their local bus company”.

The survey took evidence from nearly 400 bus users in North Lanarkshire last autumn and was part of a nationwide survey run by Citizens Advice Scotland.

Aaliya Seyal, spokesperson for the Airdrie bureau, told the Advertiser: “Buses play an important role in our public transport and we hope the survey results and views of our local communities will be taken on board in future developments of our local bus services.

“Having gathered this data, Citizens Advice Scotland will now be meeting with bus companies, local authorities and the Scottish Government to find ways of delivering a positive way forward and addressing these issues.”

The bureau intend to use the evidence gathered to “develop a Scottish Bus Passenger Rights Charter to protect and enshrine the level of service the Scottish public expect”.

To view the full results of the survey, visit www.cas.org. uk/betterbuses