Service cut would have devastating impact

Sir, – I was alarmed to find via Facebook that Stagecoach is stopping the route from Stirling to St Andrews and back, thereby depriving Fife of a major route of public transport.

Stagecoach stated they are holding a public consultation about the route, which shuts on August 7.

A community councillor from Auchtermuchty emailed Stagecoach about this devastating action and received the following answer: “I’m afraid we have made the decision to use the resources we have elsewhere and we are unable to operate Service 23.

“This decision was taken as we feel that the resources (buses, drivers, etc) are better placed elsewhere in our network to support areas of greater demand.

“This was agreed upon with the relevant local councils.”

What is the point in holding a public consultation when the decision is already taken?

Stagecoach does not seem to care about the impact this decision will have on the livelihoods of people here in Fife, depriving whole communities of access to public transport.

It is something that someone picked up from Facebook, otherwise it would have gone silent and no one would have been able to protest.

If Stagecoach take away the 23 service from

Stirling to St Andrews it will have a devastating impact for young and old in the whole region.

I know people from Auchtermuchty, Strathmiglo and Gateside who are dependent on this route to get to work, school or university.

There are people that do not have a car and are reliant on this bus route as their only means of transport.

Maaike Cook. Cash Feus, Strathmiglo.