12 hours ago
Stagecoach confirms Dumfries and Stranraer depot closure plans
Bus operator Stagecoach has confirmed plans to close two depots in southern Scotland later this summer in a move affecting more than 100 said it had taken the "difficult decision" to shut the sites in Dumfries and Stranraer from 6 coincides with the expiry of contracts it currently holds with Dumfries and Galloway Council and transport body local authority announced earlier this week most services in the region would continue with other operators following a tender process.
The Unite union confirmed it was now in a 45-day consultation with the company over the said it was seeking "urgent clarification" over what would happen to its members across Dumfries and said there was "no detail" over whether drivers would be transferred to other operators or other areas of union said it was a "deeply unsettling time" for drivers but it would "fight tooth and nail" to get the best possible outcomes for its depot closure announcement comes after a prolonged battle over bus contracts in Dumfries and Galloway.
Rural bus areas 'challenging'
Stagecoach said an unlimited liability clause made any deal "no longer commercially viable" in the said it had been "working tirelessly" to find a solution but said the council and SWestrans had "refused to move their position"."We want to be clear that it is a direct result of the council's position that Stagecoach West Scotland have had to take the decision to cease operations, as all aspects of the network are affected, not just contracted routes," it council has been approached for situation has prompted fears that many services could come to an end but the local authority announced this week that most of them would said it wished success to the operators who had been awarded contracts."We hope that their decision delivers the standard of service that we have been proud to offer over the many years we have been operating in the region," it said."Rural areas are especially challenging to operate in and require a fully-funded and appropriate tendered network to be successful."It said it was working closely with staff affected in Dumfries and Stranraer to help them through the depot closure process.
