UNCERTAINTY remains over the future of 12 bus routes in the area, many of which cover Dumfries town centre.
While the council this week announced they have awarded 45 long-term contracts to local bus operators, they were for subsidised services.
But when it comes to 12 commercial routes, no decisions have yet been made, including for the services operated by Stagecoach who recently announced they are pulling out of the region.
The affected services are:
236 Dumfries to Thornhill (Sundays)
246 Dumfries to Cumnock
501 Dumfries to Castle Douglas (some services only)
74 Dumfries to Moffat
81 Dumfries to Lockerbie (some services only)
D1 Locharbriggs to Dumfries Town Centre
D10 Dumfries Burns Statue – Dumfries Great King St
D10B Lochside to Dumfries via Lincluden/Newbridge (evening and Sundays only)
D12 Lincluden to Dumfries Town Centre
D2 Heathhall to Dumfries Town Centre
D3 Georgetown to Dumfries Town Centre
D4 Lochvale to Dumfries Town Centre
In a statement, officials appear to be washing their hands of the issue and only said: “A number of bus services in the region are operated on a commercial basis. Although SWestrans is responsible for the delivery of the local subsidised bus network, neither it nor Dumfries and Galloway Council is responsible for the operation or allocation of commercial routes.
“Commercial operators are now considering the opportunities to take these 12 services forward.”
This stance has been criticised by South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth, who said: “Thousands of passengers still have no idea who, if anyone, will be running their bus come August.
“The council and Swestrans transport partnership cannot claim it’s business as usual when the majority of passengers and workers face such uncertainty. When the region’s main bus operator walks away, leaving communities potentially cut off, people expect leadership not spin. They need to take real responsibility for developing a proper plan to protect all bus services—not just those already subsidised.”
Meanwhile, council chiefs insist many passengers locally will get stability, continuity and reliability under the new deals.
Operators that have signed up include Telford’s Coaches Limited, Brownriggs (Thornhill) LLP, J McCulloch & Son, McCalls Coaches Ltd and Houston’s Mini Coaches.
In addition, the council’s in-house bus service provider – DGC Buses – will operate services that did not receive any ‘compliant bids’.
And new electric buses, funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, will be introduced later this year.
Cllr John Campbell said: “This is about more than just buses. It’s about keeping our towns and villages connected, supporting local businesses, and making sure everyone – no matter where they live – can get to work, school, appointments, and social activities.”
With regards home-to-school transport, the contract tendering process is in the final stages and details will be confirmed in early July. A commitment has been given to ensure all school transport routes are operational for August.
