Councillor unhappy at route reductions
Stagecoach’s new timetable for Perth and Kinross – revised after a partial U-turn on sweeping cuts – has been branded a “skeleton service” by a local councillor.
The comments were made by Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey with the confirmation of the new Stagecoach East Scotland timetable now set to kick in on Monday, May 13.
Initial plans had sparked “deep concern” over the future of bus services in the region, with Stagecoach pointing to “significantly reduced passenger numbers post-pandemic”.
Bailie Bailey said this week that, while the proposed future bus service for his ward is now “a lot better” than the complete withdrawal originally threatened, “it still leaves an awful lot to be desired”.
He added: “The people I’ve spoken to are relieved that Stagecoach will offer some level of service. However, what has been announced is nothing more than a skeleton service.
“Depending on where you live in the Carse, this is anything from a 95 per cent reduction (Kingoodie) to a 60 per cent reduction (Errol and Grange).
“Fortunately Invergowr ie, Longforgan, St Madoes and Inchture retain an hourly service due to their proximity to the main road.”
Perthshire No rth MSP John Swinney empha s i s e d that Stagecoach had accepted they could not press ahead with the proposed initial cuts, and described the revisions as “a victory for commuters across Perthshire”.
He said: “In our meetings with over 650 constituents, [Perth and North Perthshire MP] Pete Wishart and I were very clear in our view that the proposed service cuts were simply unacceptable and would have been a hammer blow to our constituents, particularly those living in Bertha Park and the Carse of Gowrie.
“In my representations to Stagecoach, including my meetings with senior management, I reinforced this point and urged them in the strongest possible terms to reconsider their proposals.
“Accordingly, I am pleased that Stagecoach has taken on board the legitimate concerns I raised on behalf of my constituents, and that steps have been taken to ensure the future viability of bus routes within the Carse and Bertha Park.”
But Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing warned if bus services continued to be under- used they will disappear. He said: “This new timetable from Stagecoach offers residents in Perth and Kinross a different service t han what is currently in place; however, the new times and routes that will be available will make it easier for people to travel around much of Perth and Kinross without having to come into the city to transfer to another service. “I urge residents to look at the new timetables and see if there are routes on offer that they can utilise, even once or twice a week would make a difference.” Stagecoach East Scotland managing director Douglas Robertson said collaboration with Perth and Kinross Council transport officers leading to further adjustments to proposals “reflect the service usage we’ve experienced, while also reinstating certain key journeys and travel options based on the feedback we’ve received from those who rely on public transport”.
He added: “Rising operating costs and low passenger numbers on numerous corridors meant that the shortfall simply was not sustainable any longer and we needed to take action.”
The revised changes include: ■Replacing service 16 in the Carse of Gowrie with an extended service 39, which will provide an hourly link between Ninewells Hospital and Perth Royal Infirmary with journeys to Errol and Glendoick up to every two hours.
■Withdrawal of X7 between Dundee and Perth; a revised 39 service retains a low floor bus service between Perth and Dundee and the two hospital sites for most communities in the area, with journeys to Errol and Glendoick up to every two hours on this route.
■ Most Monday-Saturday daytime journeys will be withdrawn on services 23 ( Perth- Pitlochry/ Aberfeldy) with service 34/ 34A ( Perth-SpittalfieldBlairgowrie) providing partial replacements as these services will extend beyond Stanley to Bankfoot, Birnam.
■ Service 24 ( Ballinluig- Pitlochry) revised to provide connections at Ballinluig from services to Perth/ Aberfeldy.
■Service 4 operating to Bertha Park will be revised; certain early morning journeys will be maintained for peak travel and service 34C will also be extended to serve Bertha Park on Sundays.
■ Services 14/ 14A revised to continue links throughout the day to Pitcairngreen, Almondbank and West Mains Avenue and new links to Dobbies and the new Huntingtower View development on the outskirts of Perth.
The people I’ve spoken to are relieved that Stagecoach will offer some level of service Alasdair Bailey