Stagecoach axing Cumnock bus service is taken to parliament in special motion

MSP Brian Whittle has backed the campaign and lodged a motion to discuss Stagecoach cancelling the X76 a nd its effe cts on t he community.

It comes after the Cumnock Chronicle launched a campaign to reinstate the lifechanging service after residents were left fe eling stranded and ignored.

Having no train station, many people relied on the bus for transport into the city centre for work, to see family, and leave their town.

But despite over 500 signatures on an online petition to reinstate the bus and the Chronicle’s campaign with numerous case studies claiming they have been affected, the bus giant insist there is no demand for the bus to return.

Now Brian Whittle is taking the issue further by asking for it to be debated in Parliament.

He is also writing to Stagecoach about how the town feels let down and that the bus would improve local lives.

He said: “The decision by Stagecoach to cut their direct service from Cumnock to Glasgow came as a real disappointment to the community.

“While transfer ring at Kilmarnock might not seem like a major inconvenience, for older people or those with disabilities, it makes travel to and from Glasgow that bit more challenging.

“Many residents in rural communities like Cumnock rely on their local bus services.

Being able to get to somewhere like Kilmarnock is important, but so is having easy access to a city like Glasgow, whether for a day out or to commute to work.

“The more changes travellers have to make along the way, the more complicated or at risk of delay the journey becomes.

“I will be writing to Stagecoach to ask for a meeting aboutthe X76 and bus services in the area more widely. I’ve also lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament highlighting the importance of direct services between cities and rural areas across Scotland, which I hope could be considered for a debate in future.”

The motion submitted to parliament states: “Protecting Bus Services Between Rural Areas and Cities: “That the Parliament notes the concerns expressed by rural communities regarding the loss of direct bus services to larger towns and cities, including the loss of the X76 direct bus link between the town of Cumnock and city of Glasgow; understands that the replacement of direct links with a route requiring a change of bus can make travel more challenging for people who are older or disabled; acknowledges the importance of simple, reliable bus services to and from cities for residents of rural communities, whether travelling for leisure, work or education, as well as the opportunities such services can provide to boost visitor numbers in Scotland’s towns, and notes the calls to protect existing rural bus services and restore direct services such as the X76.”

A spokesperson from Stagecoach West Scotland said: “We are aware of the parliamentary motion to discuss our X76 service, unfortunately Mr Whittle has not contacted Stagecoach West Scotland to discuss the matter however we are currently seeking a meeting with his office to further discuss his concerns in person”.