A pair of buses operating on the McLaren High network have been taken off the route after an inspection revealed “defects”.
The inspection, carried out by Police Scotland alongside the DVSA and Stirling Council, follows on from a fire on a McLaren High School bus service in June which saw pupils evacuated near Port of Menteith.
The inspection took place on Tuesday morning at the school and was described as a “joint bus safety operation” between the three organisations.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On the morning of Tuesday, February 7, 2023, schools based officer PC Alison Chadwick, along with Callander community officers PC’s Lorna Deans and Donald King carried out a planned joint bus safety operation at McLaren High School in Callander, along with the DVSA and Stirling Council.
“All buses and drivers were checked, which resulted in two buses being taken off the road and issued prohibition notices for detected defects.
“The safety of children is paramount and we will continue to work with partner agencies to ensure this is the case.”
The dramatic bus blaze in June prompted an investigation from Stirling Council transport chiefs, with then operators Carr’s Loch Lomond then being replaced on the M4 route linking Gartmore, Aberfoyle and Port of Menteith with McLaren High by First Scotland East. A council spokesperson in August stressed the previous operators had already given notice to leave their contracts before the blaze took place, with the investigation into the causes of the blaze.
Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl said: “This is very worrying, especially given the school bus fire last year and other incidents involving breakdowns and fires on other services. Bus and coach operators have faced a very challenging time recently but ensuring their vehicles are properly maintained is essential and must be done.
“I would expect inspections to be carried out across all school transport providers in every area to provide reassurance that all vehicles are fit for use.”
Meanwhile, Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell – who has been outspoken about the state of bus services generally across Stirling – reacted to the news on social media, saying the news of buses being taken off the McLaren route was “shocking”.
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “A routine safety inspection took place on all contracted schools buses on 7 February involving the council, DVSA and police, resulting in two vehicles being withdrawn for repairs.
“One bus was repaired immediately and the other has been removed from service until it can be repaired and checked by the DVSA.
“Additional vehicles have been supplied by the operator and there has been no supply on school transport provision.”
