A motion aimed at protecting bus services in the Stirling area was passed unanimously at last week’s full council meeting.
As a result Stirling Council leader Scott Farmer is to write to the Scottish Government to request their intervention on the matter.
It was also agreed to hold a meeting comprising elected members and officials to put together an action plan for bus services.
Exasperated passengers had hit out on social media last month over late and short-notice cancellations, across a variety of Stirling area bus services, which had left them stranded.
Covid and the absence of EU drivers were blamed – and cuts to services are set to come into effect in January.
Last week’s motion was put forward by Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache and seconded by Alba councillor Maureen Bennison
Councillor Tollemache said following the vote: “The frankly dreadful state of the bus service for Stirling Council residents is causing big problems for those who depend on it.
“This is a vital lifeline for many, and the unreliable and infrequent service means lost appointments, standing in the cold, unable to get to work etc.
“Let’s all work together, so we are not a two-tier society divided by transport provision.
“I call upon First Bus to immediately stop their proposed cuts to services. Scottish Government intervention is vital.”
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First Scotland have announced that the 54 service, running between Stirling city centre and the university, and the 57 between St Ninians and Raploch will move to an hourly timetable from the current half-hourly service.
And the X53 bus running between Stirling and Kinross through the Hillfoots is to be withdrawn despite a petition of more than 350 signatures in support.
Links between Stirling and Tillicoultry will now be covered by the 52 service, and links between the city and Dollar, Tillicoultry and Alloa by the H2 service.
First Midland commercial director Graeme Macfarlan said last month that “the vast majority” of routes were running normally, but in some areas constraints were having an impact on services.
He added: “These include fewer European drivers being available, Covid-19 absences including self-isolations and DVLA delays in releasing provisional licences to new candidates.
“The unpredictable nature of instances where drivers have to self-isolate does mean that some short notice cancellations have occurred within the network.
“We’re continuing to mitigate the effects of this disruption through ongoing driver recruitment campaigns and continual review of our service coverage so that we can deliver the journeys our customers depend on as reliably as possible.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said following last Thursday’s meeting: “Stirling Council recognises the severe impact the unreliable and infrequent local bus services are having on its communities.
“Reliable connectivity is essential for creating opportunities in our communities for economic growth, employment and education– without which we are likely to see greater inequalities in our rural and vulnerable communities, and that’s simply not good enough.
“On Thursday, the council agreed to convene a meeting of members and relevant officers to create an action plan in response to this ongoing issue, and will also write to the Scottish Government requesting its urgent intervention to protect vital bus services.”
■The motion backed at the full Stirling Council meeting last Thursday stated: ‘Whilst understanding the impact of Covid-19 on the delivery of bus services in the Stirling Council area, the council recognises the severe impact the unreliable and infrequent services are having on our communities.
Council requests the leader of the council: 1. To urgently convene a meeting of representatives of the political parties (represented within the council) and the independent councillor with relevant officers to put together an action plan. 2. To write to the Scottish Government requesting their urgent intervention to protect vital bus services.’
