“Still time left for an urgent re-think” says McLeod
Aileen McLeod has responded to the Swestrans bus cuts consultation, which closes tomorrow 12 noon Wednesday 30th March, saying there is still time for an urgent re-think of proposals which would see subsidised bus services axed after 6pm an on Sundays.
Aileen said:
“I’ve made a submission to Swestrans’ consultation outlining my concerns over the negative impact of these proposals if they go ahead – particularly for the most rural parts of the region and for those most vulnerable groups who rely even more so on public transport.
“I still hope it isn’t too late for an urgent re-think of these damaging proposals. I’ve asked the members of the Swestrans Board to look at their options again – for example it might be possible to reduce the frequency of some services rather than taking services away altogether.
“And if that isn’t possible, I’ve called on the Board to exercise the powers they have under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 to requisition the money they need from Dumfries & Galloway Council in order to keep these services running.
“That’s not a suggestion I’d make lightly, not least when I’m only too well aware how severe the pressures on Council budgets are. But these are also unprecedented circumstances with a set of proposals that simply cannot go ahead as they are.
“I really do hope Swestrans will weigh up all of the arguments – and the action it is empowered to take – before coming to a decision on Friday.”
