CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has met with Sharon Morrison from Borders Buses on the future of the X95 bus service.
The service, which travels between Carlisle and Edinburgh via Hawick and Galashiels, had its timetable curtailed 2 years ago due to the introduction of national lockdown restrictions.
Residents from the villages of Stow, Heriot and Fountainhall rely on the service as the only form of public transport accessible to them without the use of a car.
Mr Hoy said: “I am disappointed that the X95 will not be restored to full service in the next few months after my discussion with Sharon Morrison from Borders Buses.
“Clearly having eight fewer services per day on weekdays, seven fewer services per day on Saturdays and five fewer services per day on Sundays is not a sustainable position for local residents who rely on the services for work, healthcare and leisure-related travel.
“I appreciate that Borders Buses are facing an unprecedented shortage of drivers due to covid and other factors, alongside very high levels of staff absence, which are presenting severe challenges across the service. The operator is working hard to restore bus provision throughout the Borders, and I appreciate that restoring the X95 to full service remains a priority for them.
“I also welcome the operator’s willingness to discuss this issue with me.
“I will continue to work with them to help facilitate the reinstatement of regular service on the X95 soon as possible.
“The X95 is very important for residents of Stow, Heriot and Fountainhall as the only viable mode of public transport for many residents. It is imperative that regular service is restored to the X95 bus so that these communities are not cut-off from Edinburgh and the rest of the Borders.”
Borders Buses have said that the restoration of the X95 bus timetable will be dependent on passengers returning to the service once covid restrictions lift in April, in addition to being able to overcome significant driver shortages and other obstacles which have been experienced throughout the public transport network.
They have also said that there will be a change in departure frequencies between Galashiels and Hawick in AM and PM peak periods where they have trialled a 20 minute provision, revising to 30 minutes. No other adjustments are to take place on other sections of the route and all information will soon be on the Borders Buses website.
In response to the meeting, Sharon Morrison, Communications Director for Borders Buses, said: “Like bus operators across the UK we are feeling the impact of increased covid cases, self-isolation, and a shortage of labour across our industry. This unfortunately means we are unable to increase the frequency on our X95 (Carlisle to Edinburgh) and other key routes to pre covid levels.
“To address the driver shortage crisis we would urge the UK Government to add bus drivers to its shortage occupation list.”
Following the meeting, Mr Hoy has been in contact with the Secretary of State for Scotland regarding the possibility of changing the UK’s short occupation list to tackle bus driver shortages and has said he will continue to push for the X95 restoration timetable as covid restrictions ease.
Galashiels and District Councillor Euan Jardine said: “The bus is a lifeline for many in Stow, Heriot and Fountainhall. It is encouraging to see borders buses engaging on this issue, but in 2022, in a world that is going green with a push for people to use public transport. We should be ahead of the curve in this region and not behind it. I encourage Borders Buses and governments, local and national, to look at a solution to this as soon as possible."
