THE majority of cuts made by Stagecoach Strathtay to bus journeys in and around Montrose have been reversed.
The news follows weeks of talks between the bus operator and Angus Council's transport manager, Lesley Millar and transport officer, Chris Boyle.
As a result, the majority of services will now remain intact when the new timetable comes into forc
e on August 18, although there will be changes to the timing of journeys and one service has been put out to open tender.
Stagecoach Strathtay had faced stinging criticism when it announced details of the cuts, which would have impacted most on those living in Ferryden and Hillside, as well as those pupils who used public transport to get to Montrose Academy and patients travelling to the Links Health Centre.
Local councillor David May, one of the most vocal opponents of the cuts, said he was delighted that the council's persistence paid off.
He said: "As a result of the considerable efforts by council staff, there have been significant improvements to the revised timetable previously issued by Stagecoach Strathtay.
"Return journeys to and from Hillside, Borrowfield and Montrose Academy have been secured along with some replacement journeys on Service 47 beyond Montrose town centre to Ferryden and Hillside, which were facing a complete daytime withdrawal.
"A number of the tendered journeys will also operate along Brechin Road, replacing in part some of the daytime Service 30 journeys that will be withdrawn by Stagecoach Strathtay."
Angus Council's transport team have now produced printed timetables and these will be available locally from Tuesday at the ACCESS Office, the library and the museum, as well as Stagecoach Strathtay's depot on Rossie Island Road.
Electronic versions of the new timetables can also be viewed and printed from Angus Council's website at www.angus.gov.uk/transport.
In addition, Stagecoach Strathtay will have an information bus in Montrose High Street next Thursday afternoon, when their staff will be available to advise passengers of the service changes they are implementing and to discuss any queries.
Mr May said: "It is very important that passengers check their new timetables prior to travelling; this includes scholars on the services to Montrose Academy, as journey times have changed. For youngsters in the vicinity of Charleton Place there, is also a new pick-up point.
"Angus Council's Transport Team is currently preparing new timetable information displays for the town's bus stops and these will be installed over the weekend prior to the introduction of the service changes."
Meanwhile, all four Montrose councillors, community councillors, and Angus Council's transport team will hold a meeting with senior managers from Stagecoach Strathtay next week to air their concerns regarding the service changes being introduced.
The full article contains 453 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
