Criticism of big shake-up on the buses
Feedback wanted on routes re-jig
Timetables in Perthshire are being altered Stagecoach has come under fire after it altered its timetable for buses in Perthshire.
The bus firm will adapt routes and rotas on May 14 with some major shake-ups, so the company’s management is asking for feedback before the end of this week.
Amongst the changes is the Perthbased company’s decision to axe the 330 service between Blairingone and Dollar and X8 service linking Arbroath with the Fair City via the Carse of Gowrie.
This decision has been criticised by Carse councillor Alasdair Bailey.
He said: “The X8 through the Carse was only launched in July 2017 and eight months doesn’t feel like a fair crack of the whip for a new service to find its feet and bed in.
“It’s therefore disappointing to see it proposed for cancellation due to low patronage and I’ll be putting that point to Stagecoach in my response to the consultation.”
The X7 bus from PRI to Aberdeen via Ninewells will soon stop at Glendoick garden centre and number 16 between Dundee and Perth is to be replaced by an extended number 39 service.
In Perth, the 8 and 9 services to North Muirton and Aviva will have their off-peak frequencies dropped from every 10 minutes to every 12.
For those travelling into the Fair City from East Perthshire to work, service 57’s 8.15am from Blairgowrie and 6.58am from Alyth are to be pushed back ten minutes, allowing passengers to make 9am starts.
The 59 service from Dundee to Blairgowrie via Coupar Angus will no longer divert via the Blairgowrie Community Campus on its 8.43am service. Passengers for the community campus can change buses at Wellmeadow to service 874.
A Stagecoach spokesperson said: “We have been reviewing our network of services across East Scotland and have put together a set of proposals for changes to come into effect in May 2018.
“We are now carrying out consultation with our internal and external stakeholders including local authorities, operating depots and customers.
“Within these proposals, there are also some service reductions and withdrawals. The vast majority of our services are operated commercially without local authority subsidy, for which revenue from fares, tickets and concessionary travel must cover all the costs of operation.
“A small number of services no longer cover these costs and regrettably are no longer viable to continue operating in their present form.
“Should you have any comments or feedback, please email eastscotland. staffsuggestions@stagecoachbus. com by March 16.”
Eight months doesn’t feel like a fair crack of the whip