Falkirk bus service report 'too expensive' despite 'appalling' service

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A call for Falkirk Council to look at ways to improve bus services locally was rejected as councillors agreed they could not afford a report into the subject, let alone the cost of making improvements.

At a meeting of Falkirk Council's executive on Tuesday, SNP and Conservative councillors agreed that they had to be pragmatic about the costs at a time when the council is under massive financial pressure.

Previously, councillors from all parties had supported a call from the Labour group when they requested a report into how improvements could be made to Falkirk's "appalling bus services". READ MORE: Scots family sent £12,000 Scottish Power bill despite solar panels on council home Among the details Labour wanted to see were options for the council of taking control of bus services, following the successful model of Lothian Buses, which are publicly owned.On Tuesday, a report from council officers revealed that the council does not have the staff to produce the report themselves - and engaging contractors would cost at least £100,000.But members of the Labour group were unhappy that the report they had called for in October would not be forthcoming.The group leader, Councillor Anne Hannah, put forward an amendment urging the council to spend the money on a proper report, saying it was vital for many people.She said she was disappointed that it had taken officers five months to bring back a report saying that the council doesn't have the staff or expertise to write the report in-house, or the funds to commission one.Cllr Hannah told the meeting that getting "an efficient and affordable" council wide bus service would help the council meet many of the targets it has set itself recently: improving carbon emissions,