Disgruntled passengers will get the chance to air their concerns over controversial Carse of Gowrie bus service changes at a public meeting.
In early June Stagecoach East Scotland announced changes to bus services along the Carse, including Invergowrie and Kingoodie, which are to take place in mid-August.
Their initial proposals involved the removal of Service 77 from Invergowrie and Kingoodie, and changes to Service 16.
A public meeting to discuss these changes will be held from 6-7pm on Monday July 25 at Invergowrie Parish Church Hall.
The council transport unit will be in attendance and Stagecoach will also be invited along to discuss the timetable changes.
Angry bus passenger Catherine Smith of St Madoes said: “Residents in the Carse are very concerned about the effects of these changes. At the moment it seems that Glendoick will no longer be served by the Number 16A, which will be merged with the 16, to all intents and purposes.
“Therefore people who do not have their own transport will no longer be able to work at the Glendoick Garden Centre in the future. There are similar concerns for workers at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie.
“Other serious concerns are about evening and Sunday services leaving workers stranded, but as no new timetables have yet been issued there is still some uncertainty as to what might happen.”
Perth and Kinross Council’s Public Transport Unit has held a series of discussions with senior management from Stagecoach East Scotland to address concerns expressed by existing bus users.
Carse of Gowrie councillor Douglas Pover said: “The council discussions with Stagecoach East Scotland – which have been very constructive – are still to be concluded.
“Stagecoach are still considering a number of proposals that the council have put forward; which will involve the council subsidising specific journeys. Subject to agreement on funding, the Public Transport Unit hope to be able to circulate the finalised timetables early next week.”
Stagecoach had previously undertaken a consultation exercise via their website and held a surgery in Invergowrie.
The company also highlighted that Service X7 is providing a commercial Monday to Sunday timetable between Dundee and Perth, with stops at points on the A90.
Whilst Service 77 is being withdrawn, it will be replaced by a new commercial bus route, Service X53, which will link Kingoodie and Invergowrie with Ninewells Hospital and Dundee City Centre.
Mr Pover said: “The level of provision to Kingoodie will be similar to that provided by Service 77, although there will be less buses serving Invergowrie.
“Regarding Service 16, the base daytime timetable provides an hourly service through the main villages along the Carse, serving Dundee and Perth.
“The Public Transport Unit is looking at providing a number of subsidised journeys on Services 16 and 53A/B to fill some gaps in the commercial timetable, but these are still to be finalised.
“There will continue to be an evening timetable and a Sunday timetable on Service 16; both of which will be materially unchanged.”
A spokeswoman for Stagecoach East Scotland said: “The changes we are proposing to services are designed to ensure we can continue to offer the widest bus network possible for as many people as possible with the finite resources available, in a way that best reflects passenger demand.
“We are grateful for the feedback from passengers during the consultation and as a result we are now proposing hourly services on both the x53 and 16 services. Kingoodie will receive an increased level of service.
“We will continue to discuss the options available with the council.”
