Elderly residents in Muirton and North Muirton in Perth are being forced to walk “excessive” distances to catch a bus following a road closure.
Traffic has been barred from using Gowans Terrace for the next six weeks while builders install a new sewer pipe to service the homes currently being built in the area.
Services affected are the 8, 9 and 70.
The Conservative councillor for Perth City Centre, Heather Stewart, has reacted with fury after learning of the situation.
She said both the local authority and bus company had known about the work for some time and called for them to work together to come up with a suitable solution.
“I am extremely disappointed that neither Perth and Kinross Council nor Stagecoach has a handle on this situation,” she said. “I have asked both parties to investigate and come up with a solution that will satisfy my constituents.
“This is also having a domino effect on the bus services from The Rookery and Balhousie Street, which are major arteries to the city centre.”
She added: “I am well aware that budget constraints play a part in this process but I find it difficult to understand why Stagecoach cannot provide alternative transport when they are in receipt of a large public subsidy.
“As ever, it is the public who suffer and I shall be visiting and monitoring the situation over the next few days because this delay may continue for weeks if not months before the road is reopened.
“This is an ideal opportunity for the so-called partnership working, which we hear so much about, to be put to the test and a solution to be found.”
Stagecoach is in talks with Perth and Kinross Council to see if a shuttle bus could help ease the problem.
A spokeswoman for Stagecoach East Scotland apologised to those whose buses are being diverted and said they had tried to come up with a workable solution, to no avail.
She said: “Unfortunately due to the road closure on Gowans Terrace we were required to make temporary amendments to bus routes 8, 9 and 70.
“We did test a diversion route using Ainslie Gardens but sadly the road conditions and speed humps were not suitable for use by buses.
“Therefore our services have been required to divert via Dunkeld Road in both directions between Bute Drive and Atholl Street. Bus stops along Dunkeld Road are being observed as the closest alternative.
“We have been asked to consider running an additional shuttle service along Balhousie Street and we are currently discussing the possibilities of this with Perth and Kinross Council.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these circumstances beyond our control.”