Special meeting to discuss bus concerns

COUNCILLORS are aiming to iron out issues with the newly-configured bus services in the region next week. The first scheduled meeting after the summer holidays was Annan Common Good Fund Committee on Wednesday, August 20. However, the summer recess will be cut short for elected members with a special meeting on Monday at 10.30 am in the Dumfries and Galloway Council headquarters. The main bus contractor, Stagecoach, recently withdrew its services, some routes are no longer being serviced, and the delivery of bus provision has been reshaped with 45 new long-term contracts issued. These factors have caused confusion and left the public with “many unanswered questions”, according to Annandale North councillor Carolyne Wilson. The leader of the Labour Group said: “The feedback we are receiving is that some people will be struggling to access school, college and work because of timings of buses getting into Dumfries. “Some services have been withdrawn and there will be a reduction in services. “We are keen to get answers for our constituents and have clearly set out what information we want to see come forward in the report to the meeting next week. “And following our motion at the last full council regarding the bus provision, we are keen to hear how that is progressing.”