South of Scotland Enterprise chairman Russel Griggs has been left “deeply disappointed” at the termination of a bus service from Dumfries to Edinburgh.
He believes there should have been more public consultation before the decision was taken to axe the 101/102 service next month.
His views came this week as MSPs continue the fight to keep the “vital” bus service.
Professor Russel Griggs added: “I hope everyone recognises the difficult decisions organisations sometimes need to make.
“However, I am deeply disappointed about the way the decision was taken and the lack of consultation with the communities and organisations impacted by the decision.
“Their response has shown the importance of the service and the store that those using what they see as a vital route put on it.
“We trust a solution can be found that responds to the needs of those communities and organisations and taken in consultation with them.
“Engaging with those impacted by decisions either good or bad is an important principle for us all to remember and I look forward to a wider engagement as we look to the future provision of public transport in the region.”
The capital city service is being scrapped due to low passenger usage and increased costs for a new contract.
Regional transport group SWestrans recently revealed the cost of running the service would rise by 87 per cent from £272,417 to just over £500,000.
There has been fierce backlash to the decision and hopes remain that the route can be saved.
SNP MSPs Emma Harper, Mairi McAllan and Christine Grahame, are meeting Professor Griggs on Tuesday in a to seek SOSE’s support in the battle.
Ms Harper said: “There is little in the way of an easy alternative service, particularly for people across Dumfries and Galloway who wish to travel to Edinburgh.
“Should the services be withdrawn, constituents from Dumfries and Galloway will either have to get a bus from Dumfries to Glasgow and then from Glasgow to Edinburgh, or they will have to get the train from Lockerbie to Edinburgh or the train from Dumfries to Edinburgh via Glasgow.”
Meanwhile a petition to stop the axing of the service received more than 8,000 signatures before it was closed.
