Bus service is ‘atrocious’

Community council slams firm

A bus service has been slammed as “atrocious” just months after new operators were awarded the contract by Stirling Council.

First Midland Bluebird took over the C30 Causewayhead-StirlingRiverside route from Clackmannan-based Hunters Executive Coaches who had run the subsidised service since 2011.

Bus users in Riverside were dismayed when they learned that Hunters had lost the three-year contract and had a collection for the four drivers who regularly worked on the route.

Riverside Community Council secretary Ann Graham said in July users were not happy with way First had operated the contract before it went to Hunters but were prepared to give them another chance.

However, speaking at a meeting of the community council on Wednesday, Mrs Graham said they had received a number of complaints from residents of Riverside and Cambuskenneth of buses being late or failing to turn up.

On behalf of the community council, Mrs Graham contacted Stirling Council two months ago about the service’s reliability.

“The council laid down conditions to which First had to adhere and also set out a time frame for that to happen,” she added. “However, the service is atrocious. On one day this week, the bus due at 8.45am didn’t turn up until 9.05am which made people late for work.

“I went out for the bus due at 9.40am and it did not arrive until 10.06am. The problem that day was the bus would not start but you would think they might have a back-up.”

Mrs Graham said there had also been complaints about the demeanour of drivers and a failure to lower the platform as passengers got on and off.

She explained that many of the users of the service were elderly, and added: “They are being left at the coldest time of year waiting at stops, open to the elements, for buses that may not arrive. It’s not good enough.”

Community councillor Isabella Gorska said residents in Argyll Avenue had complained to her about the speed of buses using the street, and the vibration caused to their homes as they pass.

A spokesman for First Midland Bluebird said they would welcome an invitation to meet with Riverside Community Council to discuss the concerns raised.

He added: “There have been some reliability issues with the C30 service lately due to roadworks on the A9, which have impacted on the service. Our team is working hard to minimise the disruption caused by these roadworks, which are due to come to an end next week.

He said they had a record of one complaint relating to driver conduct since the service started and a number concerning vehicle movements and vibration.

“All of these have been investigated and no evidence of speeding has been established,” he added. “The route for the C30 features a large number of traffic calming measures and First Midland Bluebird vehicles have on-board technology which enables us to monitor driver behaviour and speed.

“With regard to lowering the platform for customers, the service now operates with ultra-low floor buses.”

He invited anyone with complaints to contact their customer services team at the earliest opportunity so that they can be investigated.

A council spokesperson said new lighter single decker buses were being introduced on the route, replacing older vehicles.

“This new fleet, and the conclusion of road works in the Cornton Road/ Causewayhead Road area at the end of this week, will enhance reliability and improve the service for residents,” he added.