Frustrated commuters have been joined by Murdo Fraser MSP as he waded into the row over changes to bus services between Edinburgh and Perth.
Currently passengers travelling from Edinburgh can choose from five buses returning to Perth Bus Station or Broxden at 4.30pm, 4.55pm, 5.15pm, 5.25pm and 6pm. From November the 23rd, this will be reduced to services at 4.30pm and then 7.10pm. Two buses will however run direct to Dundee.
Scottish City Link have insisted that changes to services are a result of low passenger demand, and that a full investigation was undertaken before changes were made public.
In addition to these changes the G92 Gold Service leaving Edinburgh for Dundee and Aberdeen at 6.15 am will no longer stop at Halbeath, Ferrytoll or Kinross Park and Ride’s. The M92 service an hour later has also been withdrawn. In practice this means that commuters cannot reach Dundee before 9.45 am travelling by Citylink/megabus from Halbeath. Stagecoach have blamed low demand for these changes and have insisted that Stagecoach East Scotland will provide journeys on their X24 and X42 services which connects in Cupar on route to Dundee.
Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Cutting commuter services in an age where we are trying to convince people to use public transport more is short-sighted.
“Ultimately there is a commercial argument for bus companies who obviously cannot operate routes at a loss, however for people relying on these services to get to work these cuts come as a major blow.
“I have written to Scottish City Link to express my disappointment at reductions in buses using park and ride services as these stops are vital for reducing town centre congestion and emissions.
“If Perth is to grow as a place to stay and work then public transport services will also have to improve and I would urge Scottish City Link to reconsider these cuts and to do all they can to mitigate the effects of reduced services.”