Dundee bus shortage ‘not linked’ to Commonwealth Games

National Express Dundee has insisted city bus services have not suffered any lasting effects from a shortage of drivers and by delivering competitors and officials to the Commonwealth Games.

A number of city buses were unable to run last Monday because of difficulties in covering overtime shifts as well as staff holidays and illness.

Around the same time the company began running specially contracted vehicles between Dundee and Barry Buddon for the Commonwealth Games shooting events.

Labour councillor Brian Gordon raised the issue with company managing director Phil Smith on hearing that an early-morning service to Ninewells Hospital last Monday, which was essential for staff going to work, was unable to run.

A spokeswoman for National Express Dundee said the situation last Monday was caused by an unusually high unavailability of drivers on that day.

“There is absolutely no link between the shortage of services a week ago and services to the Commonwealth Games,” she said.

“Last week’s shortage was a result of a number of staff ill on that day, along with some difficulties covering overtime shifts.”