South Scotland MSP Craig Hoy has met with Dumfries and Galloway Council officials for urgent talks on the potential loss of key bus routes across the area.
Mr Hoy, who is also Conservative candidate from Dumfriesshire, raised local concerns about the future of rural bus and school services which many residents rely on. Stagecoach, the major operator in the area, has been operating under a temporary contract for the past two years and has signalled it plans to pull out of the region after failing to agree to new tender terms.
Speaking after the meeting, Craig said: “I am deeply concerned about the announcement that key bus and school bus services in Dumfriesshire could be lost as early as this August. School routes are a lifeline for parents without access to a car, and rural services are essential for many of our most vulnerable residents.”
“We live in a large rural area and local bus services must be protected. While other operators may take on some services which are at risk, I am deeply disappointed that Stagecoach appears to be abandoning the area after years of public funding to support their operations.”
Mr Hoy has launched a survey-based campaign to learn directly from residents about how they use local bus services and assess what impact the potential changes may have.
He added: “I want to hear directly from local people who use and need lifeline bus services. My local campaign will help build a clear picture of what services matter most to residents across Dumfriesshire. After more than a decade of the SNP Government in Edinburgh under-funding Dumfries and Galloway Council - and failing to invest in local bus services - I want to ensure that public transport in Dumfriesshire finally meets the needs of the communities it serves.”
