Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Meetings to iron out bus problems
COUNCILLORS are set to meet with bus operators three times a year to try to iron out issues with services.
The SNP’s Lynne Short, the local authority’s city development convener, has asked members of the other three political parties to take part along with representatives from Xplore, Stagecoach and Moffat and Williamson.
Ms Short said it was important the parties worked together with the operators to deliver the best possible service.
And she said the discussions could allow for forward planning and address issues from both the public and the companies’ perspectives.
George Devine, managing director of Moffat and Williamson, welcomed the meetings. He said: “It could be that someone is having issues because, for example, there’s not a suitable route serving their area.
“We can assess if we, the other operators and the council, can where possible do anything to address that and perhaps give alternative solutions.”
The first meeting to be held next month has been organised just days after a petition was launched in a protest over a change of route by the city’s largest bus firm.
Xplore is looking to improve the reliability of services 32 and 33 and has revealed plans to cut out Forfar Road on the routes.
Michael Hughes, 54, from Mill o’ Mains, launched the petition and said he has since been told by Xplore that the petition would not be accepted as it had been conducted online.
He said: “As far as these further meetings go, it seems like decisions are already made.
“If one is held next month, I think that will already be too late for us.
“Consultations need to start far earlier when a service is possibly being changed.”
Elsie Turbyne, managing director of Xplore Dundee, said: “I hope these meetings will help to strengthen our already strong working relationships.”
Commenting on the petition, she said: “The public consultation we have launched gives everyone who lives on and around the route of services 32/33 to provide feedback to us on their local bus.
“Anyone who thinks we should leave the bus route exactly as it is should tell us directly so that we can take their views into consideration.”
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