A group of West End pensioners have rallied round to call for a rethink on the removal of a “lifeline” bus service.
The 204 service runs to the city centre from Ninewells Hospital through Charleston, Lochee and the West End but it is due to cease from August this year.
It is one of a number subsidised by the Dundee City Council, which is removing funding for the route.
For many pensioners living near Magdalen Green, the only alternative to reaching the city centre is to trek up some of Dundee’s steepest streets to get to a bus stop on Perth Road.
Regular passenger 94-year-old Doris McLaren, who lives at the bottom of Windsor Street, has been hopping on the local bus most mornings for more than four decades.
She organised a meeting of several dozen local residents this week alongside West End councillor Fraser Macpherson.
All of those in attendance are demanding the council make a U-turn.
“Those of us who rely on this service will have no alternative if the 204 is withdrawn,” Doris said.
“Without this bus we will have no access in this ‘city of culture’, to the V&A, the Rep, McManus, Botanic Gardens, Unicorn, and Discovery ships.
“And how do we get to GP appointments and to hospitals?
“It’s a lifeline for many of us.”
Locals have also launched a petition calling for a rethink.
Fraser Macpherson, councillor for the West End, said the council’s approach to removing the service was “utterly pathetic”.
“The council can do better than this,” he said.
“It really has been an epic fail.
“I will do everything I can do to stop it. They have made a really bad mistake here.
“There has been no consultation with residents about this decision and the amount that the council will save is very minimal.
“I think the lack of engagement with the community has been pretty shocking.
“They have two months to get it right and by this I mean save the service.
“There is a real sense of feeling that we don’t want to lose this route.”
A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “We are considering our options.”
