SNP MSP John Swinney has called Stagecoach’s latest decision to bring forward its unpopular new timetable and service cuts by two weeks “farcical”, “unacceptable” and “utterly disrespectful” to Perth and Kinross residents.
The bus operator previously said it would delay changes - due to come into force on April 29 - until May 27 with the exception of the X7 service connecting Perth Royal Infirmary and Ninewells which it has proposed axing.
But Stagecoach has now revealed it will press ahead with changes to its services from May 13 and with fare increases from March 31.
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Stagecoach said the 6% fare increases are largely driven by a rise in the cost of fuel and staff wages.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach East Scotland said: “Almost all of the money received in fares goes towards paying for the day-to-day running of services as well as investing in improvements. Stagecoach has consistently delivered some of the lowest ticket prices in the country and we are committed to continuing to keep fares as low as possible for our passengers.
"Like many sectors of the economy, bus operators are seeing significant cost inflation, primarily driven by increased fuel and staffing costs, hence our planned fare increase from March 31, 2024.
“After consulting with our customers, along with Perth and Kinross Council and Angus Council, we are now working towards changes to services in these areas from Monday May 13, 2024. Further information on these changes will be available on our website towards the end of April.”
If the proposed changes are pushed through, the Carse of Gowrie would lose its weekday service and there would be service cuts to buses serving Highland Perthshire, Strathtay and Strathearn wards as well as Perth, Ninewells and Perth Royal Infirmary.
Perthshire North MSP Swinney held a series of public meetings with affected local residents after the unpopular timetable and service change proposals were first announced. When he held a meeting in Errol on Monday, March 4 several residents told him they would lose their jobs, their home and a community would die if its Monday to Saturday daytime bus service is removed.
Swinney has slammed the latest move by Stagecoach as “completely unacceptable”.
He said: “The decision to move forward timetable changes by two weeks is completely unacceptable and shows an unwillingness to engage with the public.
“Stagecoach’s conduct during this entire process has been nothing short of farcical. First, they tried to rush these service cuts through without meaningfully engaging with the public, before realising the scale of opposition and delaying any changes until the end of May. Now, they have reversed this decision. It is utterly disrespectful to my constituents.
“Stagecoach must reflect on their responsibilities as a service provider and realise the huge damage that their proposed timetable changes will inflict on communities across Perthshire.
“I urge them once more in the strongest possible terms to engage in meaningful dialogue with the public and work to implement a timetable that ensures that my constituents are able to access a reliable and regular bus service.”
Swinney also described the fare increases as “disappointing”.
He said: “It is disappointing that, in a cost of living crisis, my constituents are being hit with above-inflation increases to bus fares.
“These increases are particularly unwelcome given Stagecoach’s planned service cuts that, if confirmed, will hammer commuters across Perthshire. Accessible and affordable bus travel is imperative in order for people to be able to go about their daily lives and also to ensure we continue to tackle the climate emergency.”
Perth and North Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart added: “This is yet more bad news for my constituents, which comes just weeks after the chaos caused by Stagecoach’s proposed cuts to essential services.
“Whilst I understand that Stagecoach must ensure the financial viability of their business, they also have a duty to maintain regular, affordable public transport links across Perth and Kinross, which is particularly vital in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.”
What are the Stagecoach changes?
On February 27, Stagecoach announced a raft of cuts to its services in Perth and Kinross due to come into force from April 29. Passengers were given just 12 days to participate in a consultation which closed on Sunday, March 10.
Following a meeting between Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) chief executive Thomas Glen and Stagecoach chief operating officer Sam Greer on Friday, March 8 PKC announced “they agreed no changes to services – other than the X7 – will be introduced before May 27”.
That date has now been brought forward to May 13.
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