Campaign over local bus services and school bus goes on

Members of the Community Spirit Action Group, the residents’ group for Pentland, Ancrum, Tullideph and Cleghorn areas, and I met yesterday with Phil Smith, Managing Director of National Express Dundee over the removal of the Number 4 service bus from the West End part of its route and the complete removal of the 4S school bus to St John’s High School.

Although there was useful discussion with National Express Dundee over the issues, it was clear that the bus company has taken a commercial decision on the 4 and the 4S and was not going to review this.    I and Community Spirit office bearers are therefore keen to discuss matters further with transportation officials in the City Council as the loss of the 4 service is a real loss to its mainly elderly passengers particularly in Peddie Street, Scott Street/Logie, Pentland, City Road and Tullideph.

There’s now a 204 service subsidised by the City Council but it only runs off peak daytime every couple of hours on that part of its route and there’s a real need to improve that frequency of service for the area.   We are determined to continue the campaign to ensure the bus service is improved.   We handed in a petition that already has 141 signatures on it to National Express Dundee yesterday and we will be giving a copy to transportation officials at the City Council as well.   Most petition signatures are being obtained on local doorsteps but you can also sign it by clicking on the headline above or by going to http://t.co/iKqjwoi.


Over 30 parents of pupils at St John’s High School attended last night’s West End Local Community Planning Partnership meeting to voice their concerns at the complete withdrawal of the 4S bus service to the school.    

The lack of decent public transport for St John’s High School pupils living on the 4S route is a real worry – the school advises me that 43 pupils are affected and when we get into the darker days and wintry weather, the situation will worsen.   

I have made the suggestion of a joint meeting with the parents/guardians, transport, education departments, elected representatives and the school to find a workable solution and have today written to the Director of Education and the Head of Transportation in that regard.

There are other issues arising out of last night's West End Local Community Planning Partnership meeting and I will update residents on these matters over the weekend.