A vital bus service serving Dunblane High appears to have been given a reprieve from the axe in the bus operator’s consultation plans.
The fate of the 15A Perth to Stirling bus, which serves Dunblane and other areas of Stirlingshire, had become the subject of a petition signed by hundreds of concerned passengers and a campaign backed by local councillors and politicians.
It followed rumoured plans to move the service from an hourly to two-hourly timetable, which had led to fears over significant disruption for school pupils heading to and from school, as well as those heading into Stirling for work or socialising.
A consultation exercise from Stagecoach had been underway over the planned timetable, but a councillor in the Strathallan ward in Perthshire has confirmed with bosses that the two essential buses would now be saved.
Parent Kristine Scott, who has two children attending Dunblane High, was behind the petition which attracted a total of 388 signatures at time of going to press.
Following the news of the reprieve, Kristine told the Observer: “I would really just like to thank everyone who has contributed to Stagecoach listening on this issue because this is a major development.
“We don’t know yet about the rest of the timetable because we’ve not heard from Stagecoach directly but it’s been a community effort from young and old and everyone that has come on board.
“I would encourage other bus users to get together and get change on services that they’re unhappy with; everyone has just united and managed to achieve something.
“There were some that were going to have to change schools due to this change because they physically couldn’t get there in time and also it helps maintain independence for some older people that are able to use buses at a more sensible time.
“I’d also like to thank Stagecoach themselves actually for listening to us because keeping those buses shows they are listening.”
Strathallan ward Conservative councillor Keith Allan, who received the confirmation from Stagecoach, over the fate of the services, said: “The consultation exercise is now over and I can confirm that the revised timetables have indeed reflected the concerns of our communities.
“The two biggest concerns were the proposed dropping of the services from Crieff to Stirling, leaving at 7.40am and the service from Stirling to Crieff leaving at 3.30pm.
“These services were important for the conveyance of kids on the school runs and adults trying to get to and from work.
“I am pleased to share that these services will continue with the introduction of the new timetable on November 7.
“Well done to everyone who undertook to contact Stagecoach during the consultation period.
“Well done, too, to Stagecoach for recognising the concerns of their passengers – a great result for everyone.”
A spokesperson for Stagecoach East Scotland said: “The consultation is closed now, and we will be reviewing all of the feedback received. We will confirm in due course any changes that have been made to our original proposals.”
