Fed up passengers are hitting out at a West Lothian’s main bus operator for cutting services, leaving many stranded and bringing small villages “to their knees”.
McGill’s Eastern Scottish took over the running of the most of the bus network last September from First Bus but has been met with mounting criticism since.
The have implemented a policy of not allowing passengers on with mobility scooters and recently announced a cut to services. They have also faced a backlash from customers who say their services are unreliable.
Drastic cuts to services have piled pressure onto West Lothian Council’s public transport staff as they prepare new contracts for subsidised services.
Last month the company informed the council of their intent to revise their network. This will see a reduction in very early morning services, evening services and the removal of Sunday services.
The cuts will hit smaller communities from Blackridge to Winchburgh.
One women who lives in the area said: “Most of the villages are going to be on their knees when they take Sunday service away, my son needs it to get back and forth to work.
“Also, in the recent council Bulletin magazine, there was a story on women’s and girl’s safety. My daughter has already been stranded for three hours on a Sunday due to cancelled buses.”
Another passenger said: “A reduction in use leads to an overhaul of the contract. Maybe if they actually turned up and people could rely on them they might see an increase in numbers. I for one am fed up being left stranded in town either because they just don’t turn up or because they can’t be bothered stopping.
“It’s a shambles and shocking service in this day and age.”
Another local who has first hand knowledge of the problems since McGill’s took over is George Vickery who now struggles to see family in Livingston and get to appointments at St John’s Hospital because he can’t take his mobility scooter onto buses.
George, a former road worker (55), was forced to give up work and is now registered disabled after suffering a stroke eight years ago.
He lives in Longridge with wife Louise, daughter Danielle daughter (28) and son George (16).
He told the Courier: “I can walk with a zimmer, but the way the bus system is, the bus only stops at the very top of Longridge or the very bottom and I couldn’t walk that distance with the zimmer.
“This isn’t just all about me though, it’s for everybody else that has a mobility scooter that can’t use the bus.
“Our scooters still meet the criteria since McGill’s took over, they’ve not grown overnight or anything.
“They say it’s down to health and safety, but if First buses allowed us on with scooters, then why can’t McGill’s?”
Councillors last week rejected a plea from the SNP for an emergency committee to fund services for communities cut off from public transport routes.
A report on the council’s options to respond to the McGills cuts in commercial services will come to the April meeting of the Executive.
The council backed away from slashing subsidised public transport funding in this year’s budget.
A re-tendering process, with new subsidised service contracts issued in six months’ time.
But councillor Diane Calder warned that communities would be cut off and called for emergency funding, adding communities “couldn’t wait six months.”
McGill’s Group said it would continue its dialogue with the council about the changes to its services.
Ralph Roberts, CEO of McGill’s Group, said: “From 8th May we will be making changes to our Eastern Scottish network which will see a number of services changed or withdrawn.
“On most services, the number of journeys being made is between 75 to 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels. But, given the increased costs, this means we need to make some changes to routes and timetables - both to reflect current demand, and to ensure the future viability of our networks across West Lothian and Edinburgh.
“Local authorities have the power to step in with financial support where journeys or services are considered to be socially necessary. We have therefore advised them of these proposed changes so that they can weigh up potential replacement services.
“Just as covid was unprecedented, we understand that these service changes post-pandemic are unique.
“Whilst we fully recognise the extent of service changes, we have worked hard to try and adjust other Eastern Scottish services to cover some or all of the cancelled service routes.
“This detail is important as we shape the most efficient bus provision for the region moving forward.”
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