Why do Tayside and Fife Stagecoach buses have so many ‘technical issues’ – and what are they?

Hundreds of Stagecoach bus services in Tayside and Fife are being disrupted because of “technical issues” or “technical faults” every month.

More than 550 services were either cancelled, delayed or rerouted in January where the operator blamed “technical issues” or “technical faults” in posts on social media site X.

The Courier also found hundreds more services cancelled or disrupted in November and December where the blame was placed on “technical” problems.

The worst service for cancellations for this reason was the 73A, which runs between Ninewells and Dobbies in Monifieth.

In January alone, this service was cancelled, delayed or diverted more than 100 times due to “technical issues” or “technical faults” according to posts on the Stagecoach East Scotland X page.

“Technical” problems are by far the most common reason for Stagecoach buses being disrupted, but other excuses for disruption include breakdowns, driver error, drivers needing a legal break, “operational requirements” or even a dog being sick on a Fife bus in January.

Worst Stagecoach routes in Dundee, Angus, Perth and Fife for ‘technical issues’

According to analysis of Stagecoach’s posts on X, the following services have been the worst for suffering “technical issues” or “technical faults” in the last three months:

January

1. Service 73A (Ninewells Hospital to Dobbies): 116
2. Service X7 (Perth Royal Infirmary to Aberdeen): 80 
3. Service 39 (Kirkcaldy to Glenrothes or Leslie): 35
4. Service 27 (Perth to Pitlochry): 30
5. Service 73 (Ninewells to Arbroath): 28

December

1. Service 73A (Ninewells Hospital to Dobbies): 40
2. Service X7 (Perth Royal Infirmary to Aberdeen): 32
3. Service 30 (Stracathro Hospital to Arbroath): 16
4. Service 27 (Perth to Pitlochry): 13
5. Service 73C (Ninewells Hospital to Arbroath): 12

November

1. Service 73A (Ninewells Hospital to Dobbies): 96
2. Service X7 (Perth Royal Infirmary to Aberdeen): 35
3. Service 39 (Kirkcaldy to Glenrothes or Leslie): 32
4. Service 73 (Ninewells to Arbroath): 29
5. Service 30 (Stracathro Hospital to Arbroath): 16

Broughty Ferry councillor Pete Shears, who has been looking into the issue, told The Courier: “It’s something I’ve been getting a lot of contact about recently.

“There have been children late for school and people struggling to get to work and elderly people being left at bus stops.

“It’s causing real frustration.

“They have said it will get better – will it? I’m not sure, but I have to take them for face value.”

‘Technical issues bingo’ on Stagecoach buses

After Mr Shears shared correspondence he had with Stagecoach on the matter on Facebook, locals responded with their own criticism.

Kenny Christie said: “Sadly the issues with reliability predate any recent weather.

“Hopefully things will tighten up soon to allow people to be able to rely on transport for work and education.”

Stephen Trayner wrote: “Just take a scroll through their Twitter (X) feed for the last few months.

“Play ‘technical issue’ bingo… you’ll win really quickly!”

Lloyd Melville, a councillor for Monifieth and Sidlaw, is also dealing with residents’ complaints.

He said: “It’s concerning to read these figures.

“I have had people coming forward who are concerned about the local bus service which predates the bad weather.

“I am always happy to engage with Stagecoach on issues to see what can be done.”

Stagecoach blames bad weather for ‘technical issues’ on buses

The Courier sent a series of questions to Stagecoach about the “technical” problems on its buses, including asking for an explanation of what this term means.

It did not respond to the questions individually but in a statement, a spokesperson said: “Since the beginning of the year, we have faced a number of challenges – in particular, the inclement weather with wind and rain as well as sustained below-freezing temperatures.

“This impacts the reliability of our fleet, from frozen doors, brakes and air systems, to the damage untreated roads and displaced trees and branches cause.

“We are scheduled to operate almost two million miles every month across the region and have consistently been operating above 98% of those scheduled miles through this extremely challenging period.

“We are also continuing to invest in our fleet of vehicles with four new double-deckers introduced in Blairgowrie in December 2023 along with a number of new coaches and minibuses arriving in the spring.”

It comes after The Courier asked Stagecoach seven key questions following nine fires on its buses last year.

Meanwhile, a series of “lifeline” bus routes in Dundee look set to be scrapped in the coming weeks.