Future of controversial subsidised school bus service to be decided

The controversial plan to end subsidised transport for East Ayrshire pupils is to be considered by councillors this week.

East Ayrshire Council was set to scrap the non-statutory scheme last year, citing spiralling costs, but agreed to undertake a pilot project to determine the best way forward.

The scheme allows pupils who don’t qualify for free transport access to discounted fares.

East Ayrshire Council is the only authority in Scotland to operate a subsidised programme on top of its free transport service.

It is expected to cost around £700k this year.

Over three weeks in May and June, the subsidised scheme was halted, and pupils were encouraged to use active travel routes, public bus services or two direct pilot bus services operated by Stagecoach from North West Kilmarnock to New Farm Loch

The report to cabinet stated that the direct route ‘eliminated the need for young people to change buses at the bus station and alleviated some of the concerns previously raised’.

However, it was acknowledged that the future operation of that service was ‘at the discretion of Stagecoach, premised on a financial viability assessment’.

The report later confirms that the bus company would not provide that direct service as it is not commercially viable, although it does say the company was open to discussions with the council.

The direct pilot route only affected pupils in the north of Kilmarnock, with those from the South of Kilmarnock, Logan, Lugar, Netherthird and Craigens using existing bus services with their free National Entitlement Card.

The report states: “The public service routes from the south of Kilmarnock were observed as being busy and well used with young people planning their journeys to ensure they got to school on time.

“The pilot routes from the north of Kilmarnock were noted as operating well but with a smaller uptake than anticipated.

“Routes to Robert Burns Academy from Logan and Lugar were again observed as being busy but working well.

“On the first Monday issues were identified where both Kilmarnock Academy and St Joseph’s finish within ten minutes of each other and young people were waiting longer than we would have liked due to the capacity of the buses on the route.

“However, this was quickly addressed, and Stagecoach put measures in place the following day to assist with this.

“The return journeys on the days where the schools finish at different times was observed as less of an issue but still well used.

“For the 43 young people travelling to Robert Burns Academy there were no issues reported by Stagecoach in relation to capacity on the Auchinleck, Craigens and Netherthird routes.

“There was a sharp increase in NEC Youth passengers travelling from Logan during the pilot The bus has a total capacity of 47 whereas total passengers on this journey varied from 38 to 44. There were no operational issues or challenges observed or reported as a result.”

A number of walking routes were also reviewed, with proposals to install a pedestrian crossing at Glasgow Road, Kilmarnock and the signalisation of the junction of Glenmuir Road/A70 at Logan.

It also states that concerns around active travel routes in Kilmarnock would be allayed by the incorporation into the Infinity Loop project.

Parents and pupils were surveyed after the three week pilot.

Of the 218 responses, the majority (161 responses) were from parents and pupils at Kilmarnock Academy and St Joseph’s Academy.

A further 19 responses were received in relation to Robert Burns Academy, with 38 responses in relation to Grange Academy.

The report claims that the direct bus service piloted in North Kilmarnock was ‘deemed successful by parents and carers, despite the greater travel time, as it gave a viable alternative’.

However, concerns were expressed about Stagecoach’s future plans for the service.

One key difference between pupils and parents was found in the preferred choice of travel should the subsidised scheme end.

The majority of parents and carers said that the direct route was the preferred option, followed by driving children to school and using existing service bus routes.

Pupils, on the other hand, said that the pilot route would be their least preferred option, behind using service buses, active travel and being driven to school.

In the south of Kilmarnock, there were concerns about the capacity of the existing bus services and the accuracy of information from the pilot scheme.

Others were worried about safety on the local service.

Despite the uncertainty around the provision of a direct route, councillors will be asked to approve the scrapping of the subsidised transport scheme without the provision of those routes by Stagecoach.

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• east ayrshire council