THE success of the Borders Railway was being blamed last night for the decision of the First Group to axe 11 bus services in the Borders and reduce the service on the main bus link between Hawick and Edinburgh.
Just 48 hours after First Group announced a plan to cease all operations in East Lothian from August and close its depots in North Berwick and Musselburgh with the loss of 88 jobs, the Aberdeen-based company announced a wholesale reduction in the Borders.
A source at Scottish Borders Council told The National: “Privately they have been saying for months that the Border Railways has hammered them. They had been looking to cut things anyway, but now they have a reason, though there’s no excuse for cutting Hawick’s services as it’s not even on the Borders railway.”
David Parker, leader of Scottish Borders Council said: “With East Lothian and the other cuts, it looks like the east and south of Scotland is going to lose vital services, and the government must step in or be accused of ignoring rural areas.”
John Lamont, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, has requested a meeting with First Group, saying: “While these services may not be that well used, in a rural area like the Borders they are vital for some, including pensioners and those who don’t drive.
“Instead of cutting services, I want bus operators and the council to work together to ensure that we have a properly integrated transport system in the Borders which fits people’s needs.”
The 11 proposed closures of Borders services are Galashiels 397, 61, 67 ,68, 73; Hawick town services 75, 76 and 77; Melrose to Galashiels services 8 and 9; Peebles town service 90A.
In addition the vital Galashiels-based X95 service between Edinburgh and Hawick/Carlisle will be revised to an hourly service between Edinburgh and Galashiels on Monday to Saturdays.
An online petition against the cuts has already been set up by local campaigner Michael Grieve.
The petition reads: “The removal of the town services in Hawick and Peebles will mean that many older residents in these towns will miss out on links with other parts of the town and the wider Borders.
“The removal of the college bus service from Hawick to Galashiels will mean that young people from Hawick may miss out on training courses at Borders College which would help improve their education and life.
“The other services that are being cut will mean that those places lose their vital link and their elderly residents lose out too.”
A spokesperson for FirstBorders said: “We appreciate this will be unwelcome news for our customers, however, operations in the area have not been viable for a number of years.
“Despite working hard to turn the business around, insufficient passenger demand, the continuing challenging economy and strong competition in places have all contributed to the proposed withdrawal from East Lothian which may also lead to the withdrawal of a number of services in the Borders. Our proposal is very much based on sustaining the wider business, including operations in other parts of the Borders.
“We have already met with Borders Council to discuss bus provision in the area and no decisions will be taken until we have completed a full and detailed consultation, including with our staff and the trade union.”
A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: “First Scotland East informed the council this week of its proposals as part of an overall review of its South East of Scotland operations. We will be considering these proposals during the four-week consultation period First are required to undertake with the council.
“Anyone who wishes to make their views known on the proposals should contact First directly.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We are concerned that they intend to these withdraw services and encourage them to actively engage with the local authorities concerned to minimise any disruption to the travelling public.
“The Transport Minister has sought a meeting with the company’s management and the Scottish Government is offering assistance to any affected workers through PACE. Our understanding is that formal collective consultation with the unions is under way and this should continue to ensure workers are protected as well as possible at this difficult time.”
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