SNP MSPs call for urgent rethink of public transport cuts

South of Scotland MSPs Aileen McLeod and Joan McAlpine have today (Thursday) called for an urgent rethink of proposed cuts to public transport provision for the region, which would see bus services after 6pm and all buses on Sundays scrapped. Regional Transport Partnership Swestrans will make the decision at its meeting in Gatehouse of Fleet tomorrow.

 

Aileen McLeod commented:

 

“Everyone knows that savings need to be made and every political group on Dumfries & Galloway Council included a reduction in funding for public transport in their budget proposals at the end of February. But the impact of these proposals will be severe – the idea that in a matter of weeks’ time buses running after 6pm and on Sundays might be scrapped just beggars belief.

 

Joan McAlpine added:

 

“These bus services are a lifeline for many of my constituents.  I cannot believe that this is the only viable option to save money out of a £3.5 million budget and it is bound to have a significant negative affect on people who currently rely on bus services to get to and from work, education and NHS services – not to mention accessing shops or onward journeys.  Money needs to be saved but these plans need to be rethought urgently.”

 

Notes:

 

The agenda for Friday’s Swestrans meeting can be found here:

http://swestrans.org.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=17317&p=0