Politics: Better transport connectivity is an urgent need

Transport is an issue close to my heart. During my campaign for election, I strongly expressed the need for better connectivity across our coast.

As a firm supporter of the Campaign for North-East Rail’s work to re-rail Peterhead and Fraserburgh, I have continued to make this issue a priority both within my constituency work and in the Scottish Parliament.

I will continue to support the campaign however I can, but I also recognise that a rail service alone will not be enough to resolve outstanding transport issues faced by my constituents.

Recently, I held a public meeting within my constituency to gather information on bus services in the north-east.

Dozens of folk turned up, and some of the stories I was told were truly heartbreaking.

As someone who lives in a rural area, I am aware of just how important transport links are to everyday life.

I was so touched by the testimonies of the more than 30 people who took the time out of their days to come and tell me of the issues they were having with Stagecoach.

As such, I made the decision to canvas as many of you as possible by conducting a survey on the matter to get a wider picture on how those living in Banffshire and the Buchan Coast felt about the service Stagecoach were providing.

This survey received an overwhelming 1144 responses within just two weeks of being open. This was without spending a penny on advertising the survey.

The breadth and depth of feeling on this issue is clear.

And the results were indisputable. Almost four in five people expressed they did not feel Stagecoach had met their transport needs in the past year.

More than 80 per cent of respondents relied on Stagecoach bus services to commute to work or school and attend vital NHS appointments.

As a result of the service being so poor, many are now having to use their car as they can’t rely on the bus.

One respondent added: “Most days I drive because the bus is not guaranteed to turn up.”

I was extremely shocked to hear that some bus users were at risk of losing their jobs or education placements as a result of unreliable bus services leading them to be late or to miss work or school.

And many have missed NHS appointments as a result of irregular services, with some having even had to stay overnight near hospitals in order to make appointments.

Another particular area of concern was the accessibility of bus services. One constituent told me of having to carry their disabled child up the stairs of the bus because there was insufficient wheelchair space.

It is extremely disappointing to hear that 60 per cent of respondents to my survey did not feel the bus services met the needs of the disabled community.

With such little space for disability seating on key services, it is restricting wheelchair users and those with additional needs from using the services.

Reliable public transport is instrumental in removing barriers to employment and health services.

Not only that but the social aspect of visiting friends and family are of utmost importance for a person’s wellbeing.

It is clear that urgent action is required and that the people of Banffshire and Buchan Coast deserve a bus service they can rely on.

Last week I raised this issue with the Scottish Government’s Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop and I have requested an urgent meeting with Stagecoach senior representatives to take my constituents’ concerns to them and begin a discussion to enable improvements within the area.

The needs of my constituents will be at the heart of any discussion, and I am passionate about ensuring the north-east has a bus service everyone can rely on.