Concerns have been raised over Stagecoach service changes in Perthshire which could leave rural communities with “reduced access to education, employment and essential services”.
Jim Fairlie MSP and Pete Wishart MP have written to the chief executive of the bus firm over the changes which Stagecoach claim will “improve reliability, strengthen key transport links and help ensure the long-term sustainability of local bus services”.
Both SNP politicians fear that the withdrawal of key routes risks leaving communities with reduced access to vital services.
Phase changes and revised timetables
The new changes – to be introduced in two phases – will see revised timetables for services in and around Blairgowrie, which will take effect from Monday, August 17, followed by wider network changes across Perth from August 24.
In Blairgowrie, revised timetables will be introduced on services 57, 57A, 57U, 59, 71 and 857 following changes to the school day at Blairgowrie High School.
Selected journeys on services 57 and 57U have also been revised to improve reliability and better reflect local travel patterns.
As part of the changes, service 57 will now start from South Street and will no longer serve Perth Bus Station, helping to improve punctuality. Service 57A will continue to serve Perth Bus Station, while the afternoon 57U journey will depart Crieff Road at 4.35pm.
Across Perth, the revised network includes additional year-round journeys on services 3, 4 and X51, improved connections on service X58, timetable revisions to improve punctuality, and route changes which Stagecoach say are designed to support a more reliable operation.
X56 withdrawal and impact on communities
The service X56 between Perth and Edinburgh will be withdrawn from Monday, August 24 following a sustained decline in customer demand, say Stagecoach, meaning the service is no longer financially sustainable to operate.
The bus firm says customers will continue to have access to frequent direct coach services operated by Scottish Citylink between Perth and Edinburgh, while alternative Stagecoach services will remain available for journeys to destinations including Bridge of Earn and Milnathort.
Stagecoach say the changes will allow the company to focus investment and resources where they will deliver the greatest benefit for customers while supporting a stronger and more sustainable network.
However, Mr Fairlie and Mr Wishart have raised concerns over the planned withdrawal of the X56 service between Perth and Edinburgh, as well as changes to services 15 and 15A which will require passengers travelling between Perth and Stirling to change buses at Crieff.
They have highlighted the particular impact on communities including Kinross, Milnathort, Glenfarg, Perth and Crieff, where residents rely on reliable bus links for everyday journeys.
Concerns for students and commuters
Among their key concerns is the future of the important morning X56 journey from Kinross to Perth, which currently allows students to reach UHI Perth for 9am classes and provides a vital commuting link into Perth. Mr Wishart and Mr Fairlie have asked Stagecoach for urgent clarification on whether this journey will continue under the redesigned 56 service, and have urged the company to retain it to protect access to further education and employment opportunities.
Alongside their representations to Stagecoach, Mr Wishart and Mr Fairlie have also written to Ember asking the company to consider expanding its services to improve connectivity between Kinross-shire and Perth.
They have asked Ember to explore extending existing services from Kinross Park and Ride through Milnathort and Bridge of Earn and into Perth, ideally providing a direct connection to Perth city centre.
Mr Wishart and Mr Fairlie state this could provide a practical opportunity to maintain connectivity following Stagecoach’s changes, while also representing a potential commercial opportunity for Ember by serving an established demand for travel between Kinross-shire and Perth.
Political reactions
Mr Wishart said: “Rural communities cannot be treated as an afterthought by Stagecoach. These cuts risk pulling the rug out from under people who rely on these services every single day to get to work, get an education and access essential services.
“The X56 has been a vital link for Kinross-shire, and Stagecoach needs to look again at the impact these decisions will have on communities.
“There is a wider responsibility to ensure that rural residents have access to a reliable and suitable public transport network – one that supports opportunity, education and connectivity, rather than gradually stripping away options for those who depend on these services.”
“That is why we are challenging Stagecoach to reconsider these plans and asking Ember to step up and explore how they can help fill the gaps left behind.”
Also commenting, Mr Fairlie said: “Bus services are a lifeline for many people across Perth and Kinross, particularly in our rural communities.
“These changes risk making everyday journeys more difficult for students, workers and those accessing essential services
“The morning connection from Kinross into Perth through Glenfarg is especially important for young people attending UHI Perth, and we need clarity that this journey will continue.
“We have raised these issues with Stagecoach and asked them to reconsider these changes.
“We have also approached Ember to look at ways they could strengthen these local connections.”
Stagecoach response
Fiona Doherty, managing director of Stagecoach South Scotland, said: “We are committed to providing a bus network that is reliable, sustainable and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.
“The changes in Blairgowrie reflect revised school times and will help improve the reliability of services for customers, while the wider network improvements across Perthshire will strengthen connections and ensure we can continue investing where demand is greatest.
“While we appreciate some customers will be disappointed by the withdrawal of the X56, this is a decision we have taken only after careful consideration.
“Overall, these changes will help create a stronger, more resilient network that is better aligned with how people travel today and well placed to serve local communities into the future.”
Ember has been contacted for comment.
