SWestrans chair Tom McAughtrie claims Erica Johnson was “irresponsible” by saying the body wasn’t prepared to consult with the public over potential service changes.
A councillor has accused a community council chairman of “misleading the public” and making “inaccurate and baseless rants”.
Members of the SWestrans board meeting on Friday, decided to consult communities on changes to bus contracts across the region despite officials saying there wasn’t enough time.
Councillor McAughtrie said: “It would help if some people waited until the meeting took place before commenting on the actions of SWestrans.”
A paper unveiled ahead of the meeting said that community councils had asked to be consulted on any changes but “due to the need to meet our regulatory requirements to replace contracts and have them registered to operate from April, 2017, there is no opportunity for any further public consultation period”.
That prompted Mrs Johnson to say: “It’s disappointing they are not prepared to consult with the people who actually use them.
“I think they are scared people would say they need the buses and they wouldn’t be able to make any cuts.”
After the SWestrans board agreed to consult community councils, Mr McAughtrie said: “The irresponsible quote from the chairman of Dalbeattie Community Council totally misled the public and resulted in a number of people worrying about their bus service when no decision had been made.
“We always welcome constructive input from individuals and communities rather than inaccurate and baseless rants.”
Mrs Johnson hit back: “We need reasonable, meaningful consultation. People in rural areas need the bus service but we are being asked the same question over and over again.
“We know that some buses are not used but we need reassurance that buses are not going to be cut when people need them.”
The board also agreed proposed timetable options for tendered contracts.
Bus firms will be able to bid to either keep the current timetable or reduce services on five Stewartry routes – the 372 Dumfries to Dalbeattie; the 431 Gatehouse to Kirkcudbright; the 503 Lochfoot to Castle Douglas; the 504 Lochfoot to Dumfries; and the 512 Castle Douglas town route.
