Lack of awareness; axed service users announce disappointment over consultation

The move comes less than two years after the company axed previous buses, leading to a rerouting of the X16 Hamilton bus along the route.

Stagecoach have been lambasted for closing their New Farm Loch bus route without proper consultation.

The move comes less than two years after the company axed previous buses, leading to a rerouting of the X16 Hamilton bus along the route.

A spokeswoman for Stagecoach West Scotland said: “We have reviewed passenger numbers over the past 18 months in New Farm and Kennedy Drive, and unfortunately this has shown a continual decline in passenger numbers.

“Therefore the X16 service will return to its previous route serving Glasgow Road in Kilmarnock.

“The new timetable will be introduced on January 6.”

The first many knew of the plans to cancel the service was when rumours surfaced of an online survey – but for most, the news came after consultation had closed.

Margaret Dale, 75, says without the buses she and her disabled daughter, Lindsay, 37, will be left stranded.

And the Dean View residents will struggle to make it to the alternative bus stops at the top of Grassyards Road.

A furious Margaret said: “I simply can’t make it up and down that hill.

“We will have to use taxis, which are very expensive.”

Councillor Barry Douglas said he was disappointed to see the service go – and said he understood the concerns of his constituents in Kennedy Drive.

He said he was “surprised” that cuts to the “only bus service” that serves the area had not been given more publicity by Stagecoach.

Councillor Dougals said: “When I approached Stagecoach they advised I could make comments on an online consultation, but when I attempted to do so it had already closed days before.”

Dean View resident and community councillor, Marion Craig, said: “It’s discrimination, especially for the elderly folk who don’t keep well.

“It’s an elderly residents’ community here. Now all the people right down Kennedy Drive to South Dean Road won’t have a bus service.”

New Farm Loch Community Council chairman Peter Mabon feels the community council have been kept in the dark over the plans and thinks more could have been done to publicise the online survey.

He told the Standard: “It’s not much of a public consultation if the public didn’t really know anything about it.

“Stagecoach receive grants and subsidies from government or from local councils to provide a certain level of service, so they have a responsibility to this community.”

Eighty-five-year-old service user Frances McMillan says she “didn’t know” about the public consultation, but says she would have given her opinion if she did.

She added: “I have an iPad I can use, so I would have taken part if I had known.

“I rely on the bus if I’ve got to attend a hospital appointment and I use the bus to go into Kilmarnock to meet friends for a coffee.

“Getting the bus into town allows me my independence. Now that will be taken away.”

The next community council meeting is scheduled for 7pm on November 29 at New Farm Loch Community Centre, anyone with concerns is asked to attend.

 

This article originally appeared on Daily Record

The Institute cannot confirm the accuracy of this story or confirm that it presents a balanced view. If you feel this is inaccurate we would welcome your perspective and evidence that this is the case.

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