Transport firm denies bus return is in ‘ secret’

The organisation who oversee a lifeline bus service in South Ayrshire have denied claims they aren’t promoting its return.

SPT, ( Strathclyde Partnership for Transport), help run the MyBus link.

It offers door- to- door transport for shopping, GP appointments, visiting friends, club trips and more.

The service proves especially popular with the elderly.

But one woman, whose parents rely heavily on the service in Ayr, said she was “astonished” to see the return of the service without any prior notification.

The woman said: “Ever since the pandemic my parents have been stuck in the house.

“Like so many other vulnerable and elderly people in our communities they can’t get out.

“They especially enjoy the MyBus as this gives them a sense of independence and the drivers are really nice with them.

“The company shuttle buses have done a sterling job.

“However, I saw the bus in Ayr High Street and asked the driver when had the service resumed. I was astonished that it had been running again since August.

“This is nearly a month on since it had begun but my parents have had no information that it had resumed.

“No phone call, no leaflets explaining the services had returned.

“I wonder how many others do not know about it because some passengers live pretty rural.”

She added: “This service is critical. It would be such a killer blow to our senior citizens if it vanishes altogether.”

A spokesperson for SPT insisted only a restricted service was now operating.

They said: “The service follows strict social distancing rules so numbers who can use the service at any one time are limited.

“We are not taking group bookings, nor are we running services to the usual clubs and meet- up events as many of these remain suspended due to the limit on the number of people who can meet up from different households.

“We have updated our telephone messaging to reflect this and the most up to date information is on our website.”

More info at www. spt co. uk/ bus/ mybus/