Hoy slams Lothian buses for dodging ‘vital’ meeting
Craig Hoy MSP has slammed Lothian Buses in parliament after they refused to meet with MSPs for a “second and vital” meeting about bus services.
Lothian Buses has met individually with all East Lothian MSPs. However, when an emergency group meeting was requested by MSPs, the company refused, citing previous individual meetings and diary constraints as the reason.
In Parliament, Craig Hoy said: “Lothian Buses has withdrawn key services from communities including Stenton, Macmerry, Tranent, Prestonpans and Penicuik. Macmerry is losing all but peak services into Edinburgh, which is, frankly, a disgrace. Following the announcement, and before some of the adverse effects on commuters were fully reported to us by our constituents, local MSPs separately met with Lothian Buses. However, a request for a second and urgent meeting involving all local MSPs this week has been turned down by bus bosses, who high-handedly say that they cannot meet until May at the earliest, which will be weeks after service cuts come into force.”
The move came after Craig Hoy MSP, called on bus bosses to meet after key services were withdrawn.
Speaking afterwards, Craig Hoy MSP said: “I raised my concerns and anger in the Scottish Parliament that Lothian buses will not meet with local MSPs again until long after these damaging changes have come into force. Many constituents have raised serious concerns with me since my original meeting with them. Bus bosses must remember that they are owned by local authorities and must therefore be prepared to be open and accessible to elected representatives.”
He added: “I hope Lothian Buses think seriously about this and that they will agree to meet with MSPs again before services are withdrawn. Individual meetings took place shortly after the route changes were announced, but this was before the full scale of their impact became clear. Lothian are dodging this vital meeting which I think is unacceptable. The number of personal stories and case studies sent to me hammers home the harm these changes may cause some communities."
Craig Hoy has also recently surveyed bus users across South Scotland. The research found that 90% of respondents were negative about the timetable changes.
Official report extract:
Craig Hoy MSP: Lothian Buses has withdrawn key services from communities including Stenton, Macmerry, Tranent, Prestonpans and Penicuik. Macmerry is losing all but peak services into Edinburgh, which is, frankly, a disgrace. Following the announcement, and before some of the adverse effects on commuters were fully reported to us by our constituents, local MSPs met Lothian Buses separately. However, a request for a second and urgent meeting involving all local MSPs this week has been turned down by bus bosses, who high-handedly say that they cannot meet until May at the earliest, which will be weeks after service cuts come into force.
Will the minister join me in reminding Lothian Buses, which is ultimately owned by local councils, of the need to fully engage with elected members? Will the minister also consider changing the regulations so that bus companies have to consult local communities, such as that in Macmerry, before they strip them of their bus services?
Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister: I fully understand the member’s frustration. It is really disheartening when services are cut. However, I remind him that this is a deregulated service and it is up to the bus companies to make the decisions. I take his point about who owns Lothian Buses. The conversation has to be between Lothian Buses and the local authorities, because they are the people who will ultimately make the decision.
Craig’s question in Parliament is available here.