Key facts
- Date of announcement
- July 15
- X56 withdrawal date
- Monday, August 24
- Letter sent to Stagecoach CEO
- July 28
- Stagecoach response
- No plans to reverse decision
- Affected services
- X56, 15, 15A
- Stagecoach owner
- DWS Infrastructure (since 2022, £595m deal)
Background
On July 15, Stagecoach announced a series of 'bus service improvements from August', including changes to services in Blairgowrie and Perth, and the withdrawal of its X56 service between Perth and Edinburgh from Monday, August 24.
The proposed changes also affect services 15 and 15A, which require passengers travelling between Perth and Stirling to change buses at Crieff. The 15A will no longer operate past Crieff, terminating from Stirling at Crieff, leading to a reduction in services between Crieff and Perth and potentially longer journey times.
Stagecoach was taken over by German investment group DWS Infrastructure in a £595 million deal in 2022.
Current situation
UHI Perth has written an open letter to Stagecoach requesting an urgent meeting and for the planned bus service cuts to be postponed. The university says it has been 'inundated' with messages from students and parents concerned that students will be unable to attend campus classes if the changes go ahead.
Perth depute president of the Highlands and Islands Students' Association, Corben Bruce, and cross-campus officers sent an open letter to Stagecoach's chief executive Claire Miles on July 28, expressing 'deep concern' and requesting an urgent meeting and postponement of the cuts.
Stagecoach confirmed it has received the letter and will respond directly, but a spokesperson said the company has 'no plans to reverse the decision' and that the X56 service has been 'significantly loss-making for an extended period, with substantial annual losses'.
| Event | Date | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement of changes | July 15 | Multiple |
| Open letter sent | July 28 | X56, 15, 15A |
| X56 withdrawal | August 24 | X56 |
Impacts
The withdrawal of the X56 service would affect UHI Perth students in communities including Glenfarg, Milnathort, Kinross and Kelty, which the students' association describes as a 'rural life-line service' and a 'vital artery' connecting these communities to Perth and Edinburgh.
Students have expressed anxiety about how they will access education and maintain part-time jobs. Parents have raised serious concerns about their children's ability to continue studying at UHI Perth. The students' association says the changes could disproportionately affect students in communities that already face barriers to accessing further and higher education.
Perthshire South and Kinross-shire SNP MSP Jim Fairlie and Perth and Kinross-shire MP Pete Wishart have added their voices to the concerns. Mr Wishart said the changes could mean 'the difference between staying in education or dropping out' for some students.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If Stagecoach proceeds with the withdrawal of the X56 and changes to services 15/15A as planned, students in affected communities may face longer and more complex journeys, which could impact their ability to attend classes and maintain part-time work.
If local authorities consider maintaining a connection in the Kinross-Halbeath area to be socially necessary, a replacement service could be provided through a local authority-funded tender, according to Stagecoach. Perth and Kinross Council says it is 'progressing work to explore the available options'.
If Stagecoach agrees to postpone the changes and engage in consultation, as requested by UHI Perth and the students' association, alternative solutions may be explored. However, Stagecoach has stated it has no plans to reverse its decision, so the outcome remains uncertain.
Source: dailyrecord.co.uk
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आंकड़े, तुलना और घटनाक्रम—एक ही जगह, बिना अनुमान के
Timeline of bus service changes and responses
- 01
Open letter sent to Stagecoach
HISA officers sent an open letter to CEO Claire Miles expressing deep concern and requesting postponement.
- 02
X56 withdrawal date
The X56 service between Perth and Edinburgh is scheduled to be withdrawn.
स्रोत:Source: dailyrecord.co.uk article स्रोत-समर्थित
