Tourist bus being axed

Troubled 360 Circle service to stop at end of September

XPLORE Dundee is set to axe the troubled 360 Circle bus route t h at se r ves key tourist destinations across the city citing low passenger numbers.

The route originally began as a three-month trial when the V&A opened its doors to the public last

September.

However, the service never proved to be as successful as the operator had hoped and it will be stopped 12 months on from its launch date.

The service was operated using an electric bus worth £220,000, which was loaned by Northern

Irish firm Wrightbus.

The route took in the city’s main tourist attractions including the V&A, Discovery Point, The

McManus, City Quay and the train station.

However, soon after it was launched, concerns were raised about the long-term viability of the service.

By November, a number of local people claimed they had rarely seen anyone using it.

In spite of this, bosses decided to extend the initial three-month trial period, saying the service was a “leap of faith” that was

“important and necessary”.

And in June, Xplore changed the route to include the Verdant

Works in an effort to better meet passenger needs.

However, the operator’s position has now changed and it announced yesterday that it would cancel the service as of next month.

In a statement posted online,

Xplore said: “Although we have initiated the early stages of the cancellation process, we will continue to monitor performance in the meantime.

“If there is a significant upturn in passenger numbers throughout the summer, we would be delighted to retain the service on a revised basis.”

The operator added: “Although this trial has not been the success we had hoped, we won’t be afraid to keep trying new things and to introduce innovative ways to get more people out of their cars and on to the buses.”

The planned last day for the route is Saturday September 28.

The 360 Circle Route began as a three-month trial when the V&A opened its doors to the public last September.