'We need our bus service back!' - Easter Ross village residents hit back at Stagecoach cuts

Residents in Inver and Portmahomack are calling for an about-turn on the decision to withdraw daytime bus services connecting them to Tain.

The number 24 service was slashed from timetables on January 4 as part of a Stagecoach review across the Highlands, following a Highland Council decision to award the route to another operator.

The local authority have hired Rapsons Highland (Easter Ross Coach Company) on a five-year contract to provide a new service (416) covering the morning and afternoon Tain Royal Academy school routes to and from the villages.

The only remaining Stagecoach service connecting Inver and Portmahomack to Tain, and connections beyond Tain, is the 23C, which passes at 11.53pm.

But the loss of several 'essential' daytime buses has resulted in a raft of complaints from concerned residents.

Portmahomack resident Laura Oliver said: "My mum used the bus from Tain to Portmahomack at noon every Wednesday. She would come down to look after my dog and the children, while I was at work. She would also get the 5.40pm bus home from Portmahomack to Balintore.

"With Stagecoach giving the contract to Rapsons, we only have the school buses running now. They have taken away the college bus at 6.30am, the 9am bus, the noon bus and the 5.18pm bus from Tain back to Portmahomack. It is not on!

"There are a lot of people in the village that don't drive and also quite a few elderly people who no longer drive. I am concerned for them. I went to speak to a woman in her 80's on Saturday to let her know what was going on regarding the buses, as I would see her going for the 9am bus and then returning on the bus that arrived in the village at 12.30pm. She is annoyed about it, understandably!

"The bus service for the village is really needed. People need to get to Tain for a doctor or dentist appointment, a haircut, shopping. Not only that, the woman I spoke to is still very active and she would sometimes go to Inverness on a different bus, once she got to Tain. Other people may need to get to Inverness too, but this will not be possible now.

"The 5.18pm bus was also handy for teenagers in the village who could attend sports clubs and then go home on the bus. We are always encouraging children to keep fit, but now there is no bus service to take them home. Also, any people working in Tain, they may need to use this bus to get home."

"Something needs to be done to get our bus service back, as the people of Port should not be cut off like this! The strange thing is, they have decided to keep a bus running that goes past my house every night at 11.50pm! Who needs to go to Portmahomack at that time?"

A representative from Rapsons said: "The service now operates on school days only, Monday to Friday. Outside the school days, the service is supplemented by the Dial-a-Bus service (T17) which operates Monday through Saturday. It is more suited to the requirements of the area in being more flexible for passengers.

"The previous service 24 operated by Stagecoach was not really supported by the traveling public in the area with the vast majority of passengers using the Dial-a-Bus T17 service."

But Tain and Easter Ross Ward ward councillor Derek Louden believes that the alternatives offered are not fit for purpose. He hopes to hold a meeting with Stagecoach and Highland Council representatives to resolve the issue.

He said: "I've had numerous complaints from Inver and Portmahomack including from both community councils. Highland Council's bus guru is trying to arrange a meeting with Stagecoach. I've also been in touch with Maree Todd's office."

"The change was a 15 minute later start for the bus and a change of route so they don't call at Inver or Portmahomack. There is no other bus to Kildary or Tain so people can neither get to work in Tain or get to college or Raigmore in Inverness."

"The Dial-a-Bus service can now be accessed by people in Portmahomack – but this is booked on a first-come-first-served basis and is totally inadequate for getting to and from work."

"The change reflects badly on Stagecoach with no warning for or consultation with service users."

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