A NEW operator could be appointed today for the 101 bus service from Dumfries to Edinburgh via Moffat.
Lockerbie-based company Houston’s Coaches has been put forward as the recommended operator to take over the service.
The bid will be considered at Strathclyde Passenger Transport’s operations committee today. If agreed, it would see a three-year contract awarded, with an optional two-year extension at a cost of £385,000-a-year.
The Dumfries to Edinburgh service, which was run by Stagecoach, looked set to be removed in August last year before funding was found to keep it running until the end of March this year.
If approved, the change of operator will see some small changes made to the buses’ schedule with a reduction in the number of services to “space journeys out better”.
South Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper has welcomed the news that the 101 service has secured a positive future and she said: “I welcome the news from SPT that a preferred bidder has been received to operate the 101/2 bus service.
“This decision is down to the hard work of campaigners across D&G and South Scotland for their joint working on saving this service which will benefit people across D&G and wider South Scotland.”
The new deal will need the approval of SPT and its partners SWestrans and Scottish Borders Council. If approved, the new provider would begin operations on 1 April.
Fellow South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth also described it as ‘welcome news’, adding: “It’s testament to the hard work of campaigners, who have dedicated time and effort to ensure this bus service doesn’t disappear.
“I hope that if Houston’s is successful in their bid, they will continue to run the full timetable.”
