TBI response to Black Isle bus service cuts

24 February 2017

 

Following a rather confusing exchange of emails between TBI members and representatives of Stagecoach and Highland Council, and discussion at a TBI Directors' meeting on Tuesday, TBI Convenor Martin Sherring has written a forceful letter to Stagecoach expressing concern and disappointment at the proposed reductions in Black Isle bus services, and the hope that Stagecoach will reconsider these changes and revert to their former co-operative relationship with the local community.

Read Martin's letter
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As usual Bruce Morrison of Ferintosh Community Council has alerted us to information from Stagecoach announcing proposed changes to bus services on the Black Isle and elsewhere due to come into effect on 24 April, and inviting comments on these proposals by 3 March.

Bruce noted the apparent disappearance of the 21 and 22 services from Dingwall to Cromarty and Inverness to Culbokie, but discovered from Highland Council that these services will be run by D&E Coaches, with details as yet unknown.  He also drew attention to the likely ending of the diversion of the 25X and 25U services via Culbokie, which has since been confirmed by Stagecoach - they say for commercial reasons.

There is a considerable reduction in service on the no. 26 routes between Inverness and Cromarty via Fortrose.  Richard Robinson comments  "It looks as though the main changes on this side are the loss of the half past the hour service direct from Fortrose to Inverness (bypassing NK) and back, and the last bus of the evening. So it's now an hourly service."  [But see below re evening services and council tendering and contact].

Details of all the proposed new timetables for Stagecoach services on the Black Isle can be viewed and downloaded  here.   A larger route map is also available.

To comment on the proposals email  nscotmarketing@stagecoachbus.com

Here is part of the text of the Stagecoach email:

 . . . The company is encouraging customers to review the proposals and share their thoughts, whether in support of the revisions, highlighting any concerns or sharing any other ideas customers may have on services offered.

 . . . We are also holding four consultation events throughout the Highlands, inviting customers to come along, to view the timetables and speak to local staff. Events are planned to take place in Inverness, Fort William, Thurso and Wick.  [All now over except  Fort William, High Street, 1st March 2017, 10am - 12pm].

 . . . At the events customers will be able to pass their feedback and gain answers to any questions regarding the proposed schedules. . . . all feedback is welcomed to nscotmarketing@stagecoachbus.com . . . .  All feedback should be submitted no later than Friday 3rd March 2017.

Queries relating to services withdrawn from the Stagecoach network following the Highland Council tender process should be directed to the Highland Council.

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The contact at Highland Council for enquiries or complaints about bus services is David Summers, Transport Development Officer
     david.summers@highland.gov.uk   or  01463 252958

It now appears that contrary to information originally received from Stagecoach, the withdrawal of the no. 26 service from Inverness to Fortrose has nothing to do with the Highland Council tender process but is a commercial decision made by Stagecoach.

The current proposal for evening services to Fortrose and Cromarty is that Stagecoach will run early evening services from Inverness at 17.15, 18.30 and 20.24, and from Cromarty at 18.16, 19.30 and 21.17;  and that the current late service from Inverness at 23.24 will be run by another operator with exact timing as yet unknown.