Rural bus cut proposals met with concern as residents unite in opposition

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Rural representatives from across the region have hit out at proposals which would see cuts made to Stirling’s bus network.The plans are included in Stirling Council’s public consultation document, as it aims to make savings and close a £13million budget gap for next year and a further £5million deficit in 2024/25.Included in the document are a trio of options for cutting subsidised bus services in the region, with the options projected to save between £45,000 and £216,000 per year depending on the options chosen.The services under the spotlight would be the S60 between Tyndrum and Stirling and then various changes to the X10 bus - which operates between Balfron and Stirling, criss-crossing many of the villages in between.The X10 route is carried out commercially on most routes by McGills, with the proposals related to services undertaken by the council on the route.Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed brought the issue up at Holyrood on Thursday and commented: “Services such as the X10 are lifelines for rural communities in Stirling, connecting them to each other as well as bigger towns and allowing residents to access all the services they need.“I share constituents’ concerns about the threats these services are facing.

Even small cuts can have huge impacts in rural areas, and losing these services will have a huge detrimental impact on many people.“Those who are less mobile, elderly, disabled, and those with no access to a car will feel the impact a great deal, as will young people who rely on public transport to socialise, for their jobs and for a sense of independence.”Kippen Community Council is one of several groups raising concerns over the move.A spokesperson said: “The bus service is a vital resource for many of the