Bus users in Dundee have called for action to be taken around the city’s unreliable services, claiming times are inconsistent.
Operator Xplore Dundee says coronavirus brought “unprecedented disruption” and advises passengers to use its app and website for up-to-date-travel information.
But regular users say these methods of checking Xplore Dundee bus times are inconsistent and often inaccurate.
Last month a Dundee councillor struck out at the council following their refusal to install paper copies of the city’s bus timetables at shelters.
We asked regular users how they find the bus service and it was branded “totally useless”.
But Xplore has asked passengers to be kind to drivers, despite their frustrations.
‘Weekends are horrendous’
John, 74, and his wife Florence Anderson, 70, were waiting for the service 22 bus for an appointment at Ninewells Hospital on Friday morning.
When we spoke to them, they were worried it would not arrive on time for their appointment.
John said: “I’ve got one thing to say about the bus services in Dundee: they’re totally useless.”
Florence added: “During the week the buses sometimes aren’t so bad but the weekends are horrendous.
“We use the app and we find that it often doesn’t work, I don’t think the app matches with the tracker at all.
“If the app worked it would be fine.”
‘City needs reliable bus service’
Connor Midwood, a 22-year-old student, said the bus services in Dundee are often unreliable.
He uses Xplore buses to take him to the main bus station, then going on to Aberdeen.
He said: “There have been a few occasions where I’ve been waiting for the bus and the times are all different, it’s never as it says it is.
“I use Google maps usually but I also try to check the times online and they both appear to be wrong.
“The tracker at the bus stop is always wrong.
“I’ve missed a bus to Aberdeen before because the 28 service never showed up at my stop on time, I had to wait another hour for the next bus to Aberdeen and pay for a new fare.
“I think a city needs to have a reliable bus service that gets people where they need to be on time and you don’t have to guess as to whether it’s going to appear on time or not.
“I’ve given up getting the bus now because it has been like this for ages.”
‘Frustrating’
Lourie Fraser, who was waiting on the 28 service going into work, said she usually has problems with other services.
She said: “I think it has been like this for quite some time now.
“Quite often when I go to check the online timetable, it doesn’t correspond with the bus tracker at the bus stop so that’s quite frustrating so sometimes you can be waiting a bit longer.
“The tracker will say it’s due and then it will disappear as if the bus has come and gone so it’s really inconsistent.”
A spokesperson for Xplore Dundee said roadworks have caused delays, on top of recovering from the pandemic.
“We’re continuing to run the best bus service we possibly can for Dundee under challenging circumstances at present,” a spokesperson said.
“We’re currently at the mercy of a series of roadworks across the city, some of which are on key corridors and this can cause delays and ‘bunching’ of services.
“These roadworks also exacerbate the congestion issue caused by a significant rise in car use post-lockdown.
“All of our timetable information online and on the app is up-to-date and correct and has been passed on to the contractors responsible for operating the real-time information screens on behalf of Dundee City Council.
“We’re advising customers that the best way to get up to the minute information is via our mobile app, where there’s a map showing the exact position of each service, and there’s also a capacity tracker so that customers can judge whether or not a bus is too crowded for their comfort and find information on the next available service.”
Be kind
“We are working hard to recover from the effects of the pandemic but unfortunately we are still feeling the repercussions, along with most other businesses in our city.
“We are asking our customers to bear with us during times of disruption and to be kind when dealing with our employees.”
Several roadworks are being carried out across Dundee, with some impacting major bus routes over the last month including Lochee Road at Balgayview Gardens, Ancrum Road, Victoria Street and Albert Street.
A spokesperson for Dundee City Council said: “Given the continuing uncertainty around many bus timetable, the council with the agreement of the bus operators, has encouraged passengers to use apps and websites for up to date and accurate information.
“Once greater stability returns, the council will look to provide printed information once again.”
Last month, Xplore said it was having to cut services from October 4 resulting in a reduced frequency of services because of a shortage of bus drivers.