A number of Angus bus services, including some serving Stracathro Hospital, Brechin Infirmary and Sunnyside Royal Hospital, are being reviewed.
While an official consultation letter from Angus Council talks about “potential changes” to existing contracts, a Montrose councillor insisted yesterday there was no “imminent threat” to bus services.
A council spokeswoman also invited suggestions for “additions” to services.
The services are identified as “vital public transport links” and all operate with subsidies from the council.
The contracts provide what the local authority has described as “socially-necessary journeys.”
Community councils are now being asked for opinions on “the current level of service provided and of potential changes to the relevant contracts.”
In addition passengers are being asked their opinions in surveys being conducted on board individual services to look at “travel patterns” and seek the views of existing service users.
Montrose councillor Paul Valentine confirmed the contracts for the services are coming to an end and bus service operators will be invited to tender for future contracts in the autumn.
He urged residents to get involved in the consultation process-but denied there was any imminent threat to bus services.
“It is a review. There are contracts which are coming to an end. At present there are no plans to cut any of the services.”Tenders
The tenders submitted by bus operators will form part of the council’s budget-setting process for next year, with the contracts beginning next May.
“If there were to be any significant inflationary rises that may make a service non-viable,” Mr Valentine added.
Asked if there would be any reduction in services in particular given that Sunnyside Hospital was due to close, making buses serving that route potentially non-viable the councillor said he could not comment on that at the moment.
He said, “We would need to see the figures. There needs to be a justification for any cuts to services. I guess it is like everything else. If people are not using services they will come under threat but, at present, that is not planned to happen.”
Asked if his message was “use it or lose it”, Mr Valentine said he was reluctant to say that.
“I don’t want to scare people into thinking they have to rush out and get on a bus because services won’t be there if they don’t,” he said.
“I would urge anyone with an interest to get involved. The more information we have, the better it is for councillors when it comes to the decision-making process.”
A council spokeswoman said, “As part of the contract renewal process the council welcomes views from the public on both the current level of service provided and of potential changes or additions which could be considered to better fit the needs of local residents and ensure value for money from the expenditure.”
Those wishing to make a comment can do so by using the Have Your Say section of the council’s website, www.angus.gov.uk, by sending an email to PLNTransport@angus.gov.uk, by writing to Transport Team, Infrastructure Services, County Buildings, Market Street, Forfar DD8 3LG or by calling 01307 461775 between 8.45am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
Comments and suggestions should reach the council by Friday, September 2 so they can be fully considered prior to issuing tenders to bus operators, which it is anticipated will be in mid-September.
The tender results would then be considered by elected members as part of the council’s budget-setting process for the financial year 2012-13, with replacement contracts commencing in late May 2012.