Proposed budget cuts by Dundee City Council mean five bus routes across the city will be axed with another likely to go.
The SNP majority’s proposal will face strong opposition when the issue, along with other budget cuts, are debated at a special meeting of the policy and resources committee on Thursday.
The proposals would see subsidies of £122,500 scrapped instead of being paid to private firms to operate the “non-commercially viable” routes.
Liberal Democrats say with nearly half of Dundonians lacking access to a car and almost three years since a climate emergency was declared, the proposal is a “very foolish cut to take.”
The Labour group is also against the move and is committed to “maintaining the bus subsidy at its current level”.
The two party blocs will offer alternative budgets next week.
The routes affected are: 206, 204, 202, 236, and 51. It’s proposed that council subsidises for these stop next year.
Also likely to go, is the number 10 evening and Sunday service.
The route for this goes around the north part of the city, connecting Broughty Ferry to Ninewells Hospital. It provides essential transport for some staff working there.
The SNP administration’s budget comes eight months since the council declared a “cost of living emergency” and includes a proposed council tax rise of 4.75%.
‘Very short sighted’
Liberal Democrat Broughty Ferry councillor, Craig Duncan said: “The SNP again intends to axe local supported bus services including the 206 service in my own Broughty Ferry area.
“We will certainly oppose this cut and the other bus services that will include axing services in the West End/Lochee, Kirkton/Lawside/The Glens and Mill O’Mains/Mid Craigie.
“The SNP will also axe the support the council currently makes to ensure Service 10 has evening and Sunday services right across Dundee.
“If we are to further encourage people to use public transport this is exactly the wrong thing to be doing and so very short sighted.”
‘There to fill service gaps’
Liberal Democrat group leader and West End councillor, Fraser Macpherson added: “Some of these bus services that the council supports are there to fill-in gaps in the service.
“The number 10 is there for off-peak; evenings and Sundays. In the case of other ones, it’s to cover streets that otherwise wouldn’t have a bus service.
“And a lot of folk that use them are older people.”
‘Further social isolation’
Labour councillor for Broughty Ferry, Pete Shears said: “To cut it only further risks social isolation for the cities most vulnerable and older population. It’s yet another hit to the local communities of Dundee.”
“The SNP budget attacks people’s purses and their communities.
“We saw throughout the pandemic, and in the subsequent cost of living crisis, that local communities are at the very heart of this city.
“The SNP budget threatens to rip the heart out of those communities.”
Conversation