A Maryfield councillor has accused a Dundee bus network of “showing disregard” to Dundonian public transport users.
SNP representative Lynne Short has been left frustrated after Xplore Dundee pulled out of a scheduled public summit at the last-minute.
The meeting, scheduled for October 7, was designed to give members of the public the opportunity to express their concern at changes to bus services in Woodside and Maryfield.
Councillor Short had arranged to transport a host of elderly residents affected by the changes down to the meeting in Dundee city centre, but has now spoken of her anger after Xplore announced they would not be attending the meeting.
Instead, a wider meeting has been arranged for October 31 which will be attended by representatives from Xplore, Stagecoach and Bus Users Scotland.
The rescheduling has however left a bitter taste in the mouth for some and several residents have since accused Xplore of “bottling it” from a potential public grilling.
Ms Short said: “I’m extremely disappointed they have decided not to come along on the seventh.
“It seems Xplore has backed down after the strength of public feeling has been shown.
“You’re not being a very good service provider if you make an arrangement with the public and then go back on it.
“I think it’s disrespectful.”
Ms Short has arranged to hire a bus from Dundee Transport Museum to ferry several of her elderly constituents to the meeting.
Despite Xplore Dundee’s reluctance to attend the meeting on the seventh, the Maryfield councillor is adamant the meeting will still go ahead.
She revealed: “The meeting on the seventh will still go ahead. We can’t cancel at this stage.
“It’s already in the public domain, so we can’t have people turning up thinking it’s on.
“As things stand there will be a meeting on October 7 and on October 31.”
A spokesperson for Xplore Dundee said: “We welcome opportunities to talk to customers about our services and since our recent review our managers have visited with a number of communities and individuals to discuss their transport needs.
“In this case, we would like to be able to address the issues which the residents of Woodside and Maryfield are experiencing, however we need to have further discussions with Dundee City Council about service provision in this area.
“We are taking all feedback into account while we consider whether any further changes can be made and would hope to have more information in time for the public meeting at the end of October.”
