Bus changes commence

TWELVE new low-emission buses have been added to the council’s fleet as new timetables begin across the region this week

The buses, which will run on public and school transport routes have been introduced to safeguard vital transport links between communities in the west of the region.

Dumfries and Galloway Council invested £2.66 million in the new buses which were funded through capital borrowing as well as the council’s Capital Transport Asset Class – will see 13 staff transferred from Stagecoach West Scotland and seven additional members of staff joining DGC Buses.

The addition of the new buses boosts DGC Buses’ fleet of vehicles to 77, making it one of the largest council-operated bus fleets in Scotland. Councillor John Campbell, chairman of regional transport partnership SWestrans, welcomed the news.

He said: “It’s very positive news that DGC Buses is expanding to retain services in the region. I also want to thank our trusted local operators who worked tirelessly in recent weeks, going above and beyond to help deliver the new bus network by August 7.

“The new subsidised bus network is built on longer-term contracts, providing greater certainty for operators and encouraging future investment in vehicles and service quality.

“I look forward to further enhancements to services in the future as SWestrans and bus operators continue to work together to make ticketing more accessible and using the bus simpler.”

Cllr Stephen Thompson, leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, added: “We’re grateful for the patience shown by residents as we work to deliver the best possible bus network for the region

“The withdrawal of the main operator from the procurement process run by the council in partnership with SWestrans posed a significant and unexpected challenge, particularly given the scale and complexity of delivering services across such a geographically diverse and rural region.

“The additional £2.66 million investment in new buses will further protect bus services and ensure that essential links between communities are retained.”