Vital Castle Douglas bus service popular with old folk could be axed

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A vital bus service for old folk in Castle Douglas could be axed. Transport partnership SWestrans is about to tender for new bus contracts to come into effect later this year.

While they are hoping to continue existing services, financial pressures mean a number of alternatives are also being looked at.

And one of these proposals could see the end of the 512 Castle Douglas town service. Community council treasurer Martin Fortnum said: “I certainly don’t think it would be a good idea as from what I can gather it is a well used service and we would be sorry to see it go. “It’s popular with the older people to go round the supermarkets and go shopping and as far as I’m aware it’s always been a popular service around the town. “I would definitely say it’s a service we don’t want to lose.” Members of the SWestrans board will be asked to agree the tender process tomorrow.

Earlier this year, they voted that 55 of the 57 existing bus contracts would be terminated in August so that new deals could be agreed.