A host of rural bus services across Perthshire have been axed indefinitely.
Perth and Kinross Council announced on Monday that a handful of independent service providers contracted to serve rural areas have ceased operating with immediate effect.
Amongst the services stopping are those run by Auchterarder-based Docherty’s Midland Coaches.
All the company’s local bus services have been stopped for an initial period of two weeks. The routes that will not operate include Services 19, 20, 18, 45, 155 and 49/49A.
Operations director Colin Docherty said: “Since [last] Monday, when the government provided new guidance around social contact and non-essential travel, we have continued to operate full timetables on our local bus services, including the Auchterarder Town Bus Service, to gauge who still needed to use buses to reach work, medical appointments and undertake shopping.
“However, usage has dropped very significantly to around 5% of normal patronage levels.
“In light of this, we have decided to temporarily suspend all bus services from Saturday, 28 March 2020. We will closely monitor any updated advice issued by the Scottish Government and will reassess the situation in a fortnight.”
Andrew Warrington, who is chairman of Auchterarder Community Bus Group has thanked the firm for their commitment. The group had financially support the operation of the 49 and 49A services through Auchterarder.
He said: “We understand and support the decision taken by Docherty’s. We are grateful for the commitment shown by Docherty’s drivers who, in increasingly challenging circumstances, have continued to operate the timetables for the benefit of local residents.”
Other services which are ceasing include the Elizabeth Yule buses, which cover Highland Perthshire three days a week.
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Please note the following bus service cancellations by local operators in Perth & Kinross, effective immediately:Docherty Midland Coaches: All local bus services cancelled until further notice
Elizabeth Yule: All local bus services cancelled until further notice— Perth & Kinross Council (@PerthandKinross) March 30, 2020
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Sweeney’s Garage: All local bus services cancelled until further notice
Burnbrae Garage: All local bus services cancelled until further notice— Perth & Kinross Council (@PerthandKinross) March 30, 2020
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If you are a key worker or require essential travel and these changes mean you cannot get to work or get to shops for essential food or medicine, please contact our Customer Service Centre on 0345 30 111 00— Perth & Kinross Council (@PerthandKinross) March 30, 2020
The firm’s routes link Pitlochry with Calvine and Kinloch Rannoch.
Sweeney’s buses which serve Strathearn and the Aberfeldy area will no longer run, along with Burnbrae’s buses which link Madderty and Crieff two days a week.
Perth and Kinross Council say these services have been cancelled until further notice.
A spokesperson said: “Please note these bus service cancellations by local operators in Perth and Kinross, effective immediately.
“If you are a key worker or require essential travel and these changes mean you cannot get to work or get to shops for essential food or medicine, please contact our customer service centre on 0345 30 111 00.”
