Forum chief voices anger
THE CHAIRMAN of Lochaber Transport Forum has expressed anger over the absence of a West Coast Motors representative at the group’s latest meeting.
Former Fort William and Ardnamurchan councillor Brian Murphy questioned why, once again, there was no- one from the company at the meeting on Monday.
Benny MacDonald from the forum said he had been in touch with West Coast Motors and he had understood a representative was going to attend the meeting.
Mr Murphy said: ‘I am getting really annoyed they are ignoring the concerns of the travelling public in Lochaber. This forum is representing some of their customers views.
‘I think they are treating the travelling public in Lochaber with contempt. They should be making a real effort to get to this meeting. It’s disgraceful.’
Arthur Cowie from Lochaber Disabilities Access Panel said: ‘ When this group was set up, we said Stagecoach, City Link, Shiel Buses and West Coast Motors would attend the meeting and West Coast Motors have not honoured that.
‘They have no excuse for not being here.’
Russell Dods, area manager for Oban and Mull, West Coast Motors, said: ‘We revised our summer timetable based on demand and connectivity with other bus routes.
‘We are committed to delivering a bus service which meets the travel requirements of our customers.
‘To do this, we rely on our customers for feedback and would encourage anyone with comments, suggestions or complaints to get in touch by calling 01586 552319 or emailing enquiries@ westcoastmotors.co.uk.’
South Lochaber residents say they feel cut off as a result of poor bus services.
People living in Glencoe and Kentallen say they have no choice but to go to Fort William for work, shopping or a day out because there are not enough buses to Oban, and the ones that go don’t give people enough time in the town.
Kentallen resident Sally Morris, who raised the issue with the Lochaber Times earlier this year, said: ‘This is about the buses tying up and giving people two or three hours in Inverness or Oban.’