Bus timetable reduced due to funding shortage

Funding difficulties will result in a community-run public transport service being reduced from early next month.

Members of Auchterarder Community Bus Group (ACBUG) have drawn up a new timetable following a review.

The changes to Service 49 will come into force from Monday, June 5, and will see it reduced from its current six day-a-week timetable to two - Tuesdays and Fridays.

ACBUG has said there will be no changes to the number of journeys on the two days once the changes come into force, or route.

A spokesperson said:“an updated Service 49 timetable leaflet is being printed and will be distributed in late May.

“ACBUG are very sorry that it is no longer able to operate the town bus six days a week, but we have really struggled to generate sufficient long-term funding.”

Strathallan ward Conservative councillor Keith Allan said:“it’s really disappointing to have the bus reduced to two days a week. This all comes down to funding, though, and the current practice of utilising the bus over the whole week was just unsustainable without a large injection of funds.

“Hopefully the bus will be really popular over the two days that it will run and, through time, we can find ways to increase the funding and, consequently, the number of days that it will run.”

In place since 2019, local firm Docherty’s provides the vehicle on behalf of ACBUG – which is a registered charity.

Last week’s announcement comes in the wake of an additional Service 49A – which ran solely on Wednesdays – being stopped in May last year. The increased, six-day, timetable was introduced as a result.

Holders of National Entitlement Cards, including young people under 22 years of age, travel free of charge.

The vehicle can accommodate mobility aids and is wheelchair-accessible.

ACBUG trustees have encouraged anyone who thinks the bus may help them to get around Auchterarder to call 07510 303862 or email acbug2018@ gmail.com