Frustration grows over Badenoch and Strathspey's 'incredibly shrinking bus service'
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Demands are being made that a bus operator puts an end to its “incredible shrinking service” in the strath as complaints mount up from frustrated users.
Stagecoach Highland has said its passenger numbers in the region have fallen by up to 90 per cent because of the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown.
But their defence has found little sympathy from stranded travellers and community leaders who point out they are still being subsidised for some routes.
There have been complaints about lengthy delays and non-appearances for local bus services which include the 31 running between Aviemore and Cairngorm; 32 Inverness-Carrbridge-Newtonmore; 33 Grantown-Tormore; 34 and 34X Aviemore- Inverness and 34D Aviemore Grantown. A pilot for a Grantown-Elgin service has been scrapped altogether.
Stagecoach Highland introduced a new and more limited summer timetable on August 10 which is in operation until further notice.
Highland Council convener Bill Lobban (Independent) said: “Highland Council has continued to pay all of our school bus contract costs throughout lockdown despite the schools being closed and have taken action to implement emergency contract arrangements to safeguard routes which were at risk of ceasing.
“The company has also been able to apply for support from both governments, including the use of furlough for a large proportion of its workforce.
“In return I expect greater efforts to be made to sustain rural transport as the economy begins to recover and to work with us to further examine the cost-effectiveness of their contracts.
“I would urge Stagecoach to engage positively with the council in the coming weeks to avoid any further reduction, or where feasible a restoration, in services to Highland residents.”
Bus pass carrier David Macleod, who lives in Kingussie, described the situation as “a shambles at the moment”.
He said: “There are many of us in the strath who simply have no other way of getting around. There is a sense of desperation now about the lack of information and assistance.
“We noticed this week that a bus shelter at Kincraig had been shattered and you can’t help but feel it was a gesture of frustration rather than some
kind of accident.
Peter Long, chairman of Aviemore Community Council, told the Strathy: "We are opposed to any reductions in service, as they will inevitably hit the elderly and the less well off."
A Stagecoach Highland spokesperson said the last six months had been an extremely challenging time with demand for bus travel falling by up to 90 per cent in line with travel advice from the government.
She said: “The situation continues to evolve every week, and with social distancing measures still in place on all of our vehicles across the Highlands, we are using our buses and coaches to provide travel where we are seeing demand for travel returning.”
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “While impact of the restrictions around Covid-19 are undoubtedly very challenging, any level of service reduction by Stagecoach is disappointing. The council is consequently in regular contact with Stagecoach to look at ways in which bus services can continue to be supported.”
More on this story in the latest edition of the Strathy now on sale.
