Michelle_ONeill_-_BBC_News.txt
Dumfries_and_Galloway_bus_service_defended_despite_complaints.txt
Council defends new bus service despite complaints3 days agoShareSaveGiancarlo RinaldiBBC Scotland NewsShareSaveBilly McCrorieNew bus services have bingo mee nlbeen put on after problems with children getting to school on timeA council has said the transition to new bus timetables in its area has been "relatively positive" despite complaints over its first month in operation.New contracts started on 7 August in Dumfries and Galloway after a prolonged battle with Stagecoach which culminated in it, in effect, quitting the region.The local authority said it had received complaints - including more than 100 feedback forms - with issues including getting to school, reduced evening services and connections not working as well as they previously had.However, it said it was listening to the public and some changes in response to the issues highlighted had already been made. The change in services came into force last month after the contract battle with Stagecoach ended with the company deciding to shut its depots in the region.The bus firm said that, during the tender process to run new services, it had found a liability clause that was "far in excess of the value of the contracts".It said that meant they were "no longer commercially viable".The council said its contracts had to ensure operators met minimum requirements on "industry-standard terms and conditions".It stressed it had a duty to protect the public interest in any deals it agreed.'Operator of last resort'A statement from Dumfries and Galloway Council admitted that there had been "challenges due to the size and scale of the development of the new bus network".It said 45 new contracts awarded to local operators by regional transport partnership SWestrans now formed the "backbone of the network"."DGC Buses, the council's in-house bus service provider has stepped in as 'operator of last resort' to cover many routes that would otherwise have been lost," it said."We worked with operators to make sure new services were in place from the start date of 7 August."Any major change like this brings challenges so we're listening to feedback from passengers and have made some changes in response already."There have been reports of children unable to get to school on time but the council said that was among the issues it had tried to address.Dumfries and Galloway CouncilThe transition has been described as "relatively positive"An additional morning service from Cargenbridge has been introduced to support secondary pupils, a second dedicated school bus has been added from Kirkconnel and Kelloholm to Sanquhar, and a trial second bus introduced for Wallace Hall Academy."The council continues to meet statutory requirements to ensure that eligible pupils have access to dedicated school transport," the council stressed.It said it had received "comments and complaints" including more than 125 feedback forms."We're grateful to everyone who has got in touch with their feedback," it said."Reviewing the feedback has helped to inform the changes we've already made."We'll continue to do so and encourage people to complete the form."More stories from South ScotlandListen to news from Dumfries and Galloway on BBC SoundsThe statement added that it was confident the new network provided a "strong foundation" for the region."The long term contracts we awarded are good for operators and passengers," it said."The council has invested ￡2.66m in purchasing 12 new low-emission buses so that DGC Buses could secure services in the west of the region"It now operates one of the largest council-run fleets in Scotland, with 77 vehicles."Swestrans and the council know there's room for improvement and we're committed to that."Stagecoach to axe bus services across Dumfries and GallowayThornhillDumfriesKirkconnelSanquharStagecoachDumfries and Galloway CouncilStranraerBus travel
