Bus passenger levels in Dumfries and Galloway decreased by 81% last month

Labour MSP Colin Smyth is calling for action.

MSP fears communities in the region are at risk of being cut off
Author: Ruth RidleyPublished 27th Dec 2024

There are calls to prevent more bus routes from being lost in Dumfries and Galloway.

New figures from Scottish Labour show almost 200 were axed across Scotland in the last year.

The latest data from Transport and Travel in Scotland 2023 Transport Scotland report shows 8 in 10 people in the region didn’t use the services within the previous month.

MSP Colin Smyth is calling for action:

“81% of our region’s population report not using a bus within the last month but I’m surprised that number isn’t even higher because we’re seeing so many cuts to services.

“People are losing their way of getting to work and communities are at risk of being cut off altogether.”

The SNP government has been criticised by Scottish Labour for getting rid of key funds in its 2025-26 budget, and for not acting on the previous pledge to invest £500 million in bus infrastructure.

Smyth says: “The SNP has failed to act, dragging its heels for five years while communities wait for franchising powers.

“Buses still remain the most used form of public transport across Scotland, partly thanks to policies such as free bus travel for older people but as fares rise for those not entitled to free travel, it means that passenger numbers are declining.

“It’s time to deliver a change in direction for our bus network and ensure that communities have the reliable, affordable services they need.”

A Scottish Government Spokesperson said:

"We very much recognise the importance of local bus services to people and communities all over Scotland and want to encourage more people out of their cars and onto public transport. That is why we intend to increase funding to £465 million to provide free bus travel to over 2 million people and for bus services in 2025-26.

“We have also created a new Bus Infrastructure Fund and intend to increase investment in bus infrastructure, focusing on bus measures, making buses more attractive for passengers through quicker journeys and for operators to reinvest potential savings to provide further service improvements.

“Ministers are committed to building as broad support as possible across Parliament in order to deliver the forthcoming budget, in order to be able to make these investments which will help maintain local bus services – and engagement with all parties is ongoing.”

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