Have your say on threatened service
Members of the public invited to meetings
Residents are set to have their say over a bus service to be cut between Killin and Callander.
The Observer reported last week how the C60 service, operated by Balquhidder-based coach firm Kinghouse Travel, is due to come to an end on December 30 after the company issued Stirling Council with a four month notice period.
The council have now arranged a series of public meetings in Killin and Lochearnhead to hear the views of the communities along the bus route to gauge public opinion on an alternative.
It’s believed that the current options on the table include a ‘like for like’ replacement of the bus service, a replacement service with an amended timetable and the replacement of the bus service by Demand Responsive Transport (DRT).
The meetings in Killin will take place in McLaren Hall today (Friday September 22) from 2pm until 4pm and at Killin Primary School on Monday, September 25 from 6pm until 8pm.
Lochearnhead Village Hall will host a meeting from 6pm until 8pm on Tuesday, September 26 and the final meetings take place on Wednesday, September 27 in Strathyre Village Hall from 2pm until 4pm and Crianlarich Village Hall from 6pm until 8pm.
Conservative councillors have tabled a motion at next Thursday’s council meeting that seeks a commitment that a timetabled service will be put in place by the council to take over from when the current operator ceases.
The motion has been signed by Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl and has been seconded by Councillor Jeremy McDonald.
Councillor Earl said: “We are seeking a clear, unequivocal commitment from the local authority that a timetabled service will be maintained.
“This is important to reassure everyone in the areas affected. I know it may not be easy to do this but that is not the point.
“Agree the principle and find a way to deliver what is needed. It is also the perfect opportunity to expand the route.”
Stirling SNP MSP Bruce Crawford said of the scheduled meetings: “This is a positive move from Stirling Council in seeking the views of local residents on how to move forward with this matter.
“The C60 service currently runs as an important link between Killin and Callander – serving a number of communities in the area such as Strathyre and Lochearnhead.
“For people boarding connecting busses from Callander into Stirling city, this bus route provides the transport needed to gain access to a number of important services – as well as hospital links.
“I would urge residents around Killin and Lochearnhead to go along to a local meeting and make their views known about how best to tackle this challenge.
“I will be meeting with representatives from Stirling Council to discuss all options going forward. It’s vital that an appropriate and regular service is maintained to connect these rural communities.”
Stirling MP Stephen Kerr has also penned a letter to Stirling Council chief executive, Stewart Carruth, in which he thanked Kingshouse Travel for their years of service but also said that the service must be kept.
Mr Kerr wrote: “It now falls to the local authority to ensure there will be a suitable service established that can begin operating in the new year.”
Kingshouse Travel notified that it is to terminate its agreement on December 30 due to a shortage of drivers and said that it was a “straightforward commercial decision”.
The firm have run the service for 18 years.
This is a positive move from Stirling Council in seeking the views of local residents