Anger at plan to axe St Andrews buses Stagecoach proposal slammed as‘short-sighted’
Plans to withdraw a bus service which links Stirling to St Andrews have been criticised by passengers.
Politicians have also called the move – set to come into effect on Monday September 28 – as “shortsighted” and called on the operator Stagecoach East to reconsider.
Stagecoach has already started a consultation process on withdrawing the number 23 service which takes in towns between the two destinations including Dollar. The deadline for responses is Friday August 7.
Passenger Alison Marshall, of Dollar, said this week: “This is the only direct service linking many of the towns and villages on the route, and, while it is not very busy at certain times, this is partly due to the previous cutting of the service making bus times inconvenient to passengers. It is no longer suitable for getting to Stirling in time for work or college.
“It is a vital link for young and old. It gives them independence and access to wider public transport networks.” Dunblane and Clackmannanshire MSP Keith Brown has written to Stagecoach East, calling on them to review their decision to axe the service.
He said: “I am deeply concerned that Stagecoach East appear to be taking the decision to cut a key bus route to St Andrews, a service that many in my constituency rely on.
“As the only direct route to St Andrews, the knock-on effect for many will be significant, particularly for those with no other means of travel.
“It is especially disappointing for Stagecoach to be taking this decision at a time when we are encouraging folk to use public transport instead of cars.
“I have written to Stagecoach to make clear the strength of feeling on this and would encourage all constituents impacted by this decision to take part in the consultation period, which runs up until August 7.
“This is an incredibly short-sighted decision and I hope Stagecoach see sense and reconsider it.”
And Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart said: “To say that the route which the 23 takes through Dollar on its way to St Andrews from Stirling is already poorly-served is an understatement, however to further reduce this service to the serious detriment of our more rural communities would be a complete travesty. I urge Stagecoach to rethink this decision.”
A Stagecoach East spokesperson said this week: “The decision was made to withdraw service 23 as it was under-performing prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and increasing costs mean that this service operates at a significant loss, resulting in us no longer being able to commercially run the service.
“We have been in contact with the local authorities where this service operates and have shared passenger numbers to allow them to consider if they can provide an alternative service.”