Better Bus Services For Dumfries & Galloway
Communities across Dumfries & Galloway have seen lifeline bus services, already poor before the pandemic, reduced or cut entirely – impacting access to work, education and essential services.
An improved bus service in the region would be life-changing to some, especially young people, as well as reducing transport emissions.
Major cuts to services on the some of the most vital buses - such as the 500 Stranraer-Dumfries bus - have left many people unable to make hospital appointments, attend college or travel for work. The loss of the 862 bus - that links Kirkcudbright pupils to Dumfries College - puts young people and their parents at a huge disadvantage.
Our bus services must be back up and running as soon as possible to allow the region to become more connected again and it needs to be run for the benefit of people, not shareholders.
We are calling on SWestrans and the Board of Councillors that oversees it to commit to the following:
- To utilise the £500m community bus fund secured by Scottish Green MSPs in this year’s budget to urgently review bus service provision with a view to bringing it back into direct Council ownership.
- To immediately reinstate the 862 bus linking Kirkcudbright and Dumfries College.
- To review all timetables to ensure better connection times (especially for onward rail travel) and a return to pre-pandemic provision or better.
- To commit to ensuring up-to-date timetable information is displayed on bus stops.
A green recovery from COVID must include improved public transport at its heart. For the climate and the community, now is the time to build back better – not to cut these essential services.
If you've been affected by bus service cuts, we'd also like to hear from you directly. Please email dumfriesandgalloway@scottishgreens.org.uk with your experiences.
