Student Scott disappointed over bus firm’s no-show at meeting

Stagecoach bosses failed to show up at an arranged meeting with an Angus student campaigning for better services for his peers.

Scott Peter Lawson had called on the operator to put on more buses in the morning through Angus, with only one regular service now running. There were two morning services prior to this year.

Stagecoach blamed the reduction on a cut in subsidies by Dundee and Angus College, which in turn said it was a result of the merger between the two colleges in 2013.

Students are now able to buy a pass that “offers them more flexibility” instead.

However, Scott has said he often sees students, as well as workers and pensioners, being refused access to the morning bus from Kirriemuir to Arbroath as it is already filled by the time it gets to Forfar.

One measure being put in place is an inspector on the bus to monitor the situation but Scott fears that will not present a true reflection of the problem.

A meeting at the office of Angus MP Kirstene Hair had been arranged to take place this week with representatives from the college and Stagecoach, but no senior figure from the bus firm turned up.

The no-show was blamed by the bus company on a communication mix-up.

Scott said: “I am very annoyed and disappointed that Stagecoach did not turn up to the meeting, just like their unreliable bus.

“We took time out of our schedules for this meeting and took it seriously. Unfortunately Stagecoach don’t meet that level.”

Stagecoach said it hoped to rearrange the meeting.