Stirling MSP calls for crunch meeting with bus bosses after pupils forced to evacuate for second time

dailyrecord.co.uk:

There has been a fresh call for answers from the region’s bus operator after school pupils were evacuated from a local service for the second time in less than a month.The latest incident affected the 324 bus – which connects between Bannockburn and Dollar and is heavily used by Dollar Academy pupils on their to and from school.It took place on December 14, with the bus company describing the incident as an issue with a brake calliper, which caused steam to develop from the wheel and the driver evacuating the bus as a precaution.The breakdown follows a similar incident last month, where another 324 bus burst into flames on a stretch of road near Blairlogie – once again forcing school pupils and other passengers on to the roadside.Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed has now penned a letter to the chief executive of operator McGill’s, Ralph Roberts, expressing concern over the regularity of the breakdowns and calling for a meeting to discuss what efforts are being made to reduce incidents in future.Ms Tweed writes: “I am writing on behalf of a number of constituents who have contacted me expressing significant concern about the condition of the bus fleet operating on routes across Stirling and Clackmannanshire.“This concern has been renewed following incidents on the 324 bus on November 21 resulting in a significant fire on the bus.“At that time, we wrote to McGill’s and were advised that steps were being taken to resolve these issues and address these concerns.“Unfortunately, since that date, I have been made aware of two further incidents this week with a small bus fire on the X10 service at Arnprior on December 12 and another incident on the 324 bus on December 14.“I am concerned at the regularity of these incidents and I am keen