This evening’s Kincardine and Mearns Bus Forum was very well attended, prompting lots of debate in Mackie Academy.
Stagecoach managers received praise (about the coming improvements in Portlethen and the A2B service in the Mearns) and angry complaints (about a lack of services in the south of the Mearns and about Stonehaven town services).
The new bus timetables should become available in the first week of April, and will be introduced in May. I asked if changes had been made as a result of comments during the public consultation. I was told that they had been taken on board where possible. I also voiced concerns about proposed cuts to services through Newtonhill, but added my thanks for the improvements in Portlethen, giving a 20 minute service. Portlethen residents also voiced a welcome for the changes.
Stagecoach confirmed that passenger numbers are dropping across the country by about 3% per year. The operations manager also said that contactless payment will become available in the next 12 months. His reply came in reply to a member of the public who was told a £20 note was not accepted for an Aberdeen-Portlethen journey.
Aberdeenshire Council’s public transport unit manager said that there is expected to be a £90,000 shortfall in coming years in the budget to subsidise non-commercial services. He said that two services were at risk as a result – the Muchalls-Newtonhill park and choose service (on average fewer than one passenger per trip) and the 103 Cookney to Bridge of Dee (fewer than two passengers per trip, though that was disputed by a passenger at the meeting).
The next forum will take place in September. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to share their views with Stagecoach and council management. The meeting is also attended by some councillors. There were six of us there tonight.