Council puts on extra buses for key workers
after cops swooped on the Stirling Road premises.
Two walkers from Glasgow were charged with culpable and reckless conduct in early June after they had to be rescued from Beinn a’ Chroin near Crianlarich while restrictions prohibiting travel more than five miles from home were in place.
Stirling Council is providing additional bus services for key workers in Cowie after operator First Bus was hit with a coronavirus outbreak at its Bannockburn depot.
The council has stepped in to provide service for key workers living in Cowie from yesterday (Thursday) following feedback from the villagers.
In Wednesday’s Stirling Observer, we told how a number of staff at the First Bus depot at Bannockburn had tested positive for the virus, with other deemed close contacts also forced in to self-isolation, putting pressure on services operating between Cowie and Stirling.
Bosses from the operator were reviewing services to prioritise key worker journeys whilst easing the pressure on the remaining staff ’s workload.
Key workers took to social media to voice frustrations over missed buses.
First Bus has been forced to reduce services to Sunday service levels but with enhanced services at the morning and afternoon peaks to keep key workers moving and for those needing to make essential journeys as a result of the outbreak.
The council has now arranged for Dial a Journey to offer early morning journeys on the number 51 service – between Cowie and Stirling and Stirling and Cowie.
A spokesperson for Stirling Council said: “Passengers intending to travel at these times should look out for either a First Midland bus or a Dial a Journey bus operating these journeys.
“The council will continue to liaise with First Bus on the service provision that will be in place from Friday (today).
“The council is also temporarily extending the Taxicard scheme to key workers who are not able to use their regular First Bus service. This provides a discount of up to £2 for a taxi fare.
“If there are any key workers who rely on public transport and are affected by this current disruption please contact 01786 404040 from 8am until 5pm for assistance with your transport.”
The council also says that the additional transport provision is for key workers only and residents should continue to follow national guidance on public transport use.
Bannockburn ward councillor, Alasdair Macpherson said: “I’m pleased the council has stepped in to provide services in the meantime as key workers have not been able to get to their work on time and given car sharing is banned, this has proven to be extremely inconvenient for my constituents.
“I hope that the Covid outbreak at the First Bus Bannockburn garage is contained and everyone who has caught the virus makes a full recovery, my thoughts are with them.”