Withdrawal of daytime bus services in Seaboard villages is 'totally unfair', says Easter Ross MP
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An Easter Ross MP has called for a discussion on the 'terrible' decision to withdraw daytime bus services connecting Inver and Portmahomack to Tain.
Responding to the decision, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Jamie Stone has written to the Scottish Transport Minister asking for a meeting to "discuss how these bus services can be reinstated and improved".
The decision to slash the number 24 service followed a Stagecoach review across the Highlands, leaving the only service connecting Inver and Portmahomack to Tain, the 23C, which passes at 11:53pm.
Mr Stone commented: "I am fully aware that transport issues such as bus services are devolved to the Scottish Government and therefore a matter for our local MSP, but I am duty bound to take up representations made to me by my constituents and raise them with whoever is best placed to resolve them.
"Cutting these services throws a spanner in the works for anyone who doesn't drive, for teenagers trying to access after-school activities, and people trying to get from Portmahomack or Inver to Inverness, via Tain.
"It means that life is just that much harder for people through no fault of their own, but because their postcodes aren't considered a priority. I have hope that the Transport Minister is in agreement with me that this is totally unfair, so that we can have a productive conversation towards reversing this terrible decision."
The change comes after Highland Council awarded a five-year contract to Rapsons Highland (Easter Ross Coach Company) who now provide a new service (416) covering the morning and afternoon Tain Royal Academy school routes to and from the villages.
A representative from Rapsons said: "The service now operates on school days only, Monday to Friday. Outside the school days, the service is supplemented by the Dial-a-Bus service (T17) which operates Monday through Saturday. It is more suited to the requirements of the area in being more flexible for passengers.
"The previous service 24 operated by Stagecoach was not really supported by the traveling public in the area with the vast majority of passengers using the Dial-a-Bus T17 service."
