Saturday 12 May 2012

Detrimental changes to West End bus services


I have criticised changes that will see the removal of a vital bus service from the west end of Perth Road, resulting in fewer bus options for residents but also removing the service for visitors to a local care home.

Bus changes at the end of May will result in National Express Service 5 terminating at the Technology Park (Luna Place/Explorer Road) after visiting Ninewells Hospital, not serving Apollo Way or the Clovis Duveau Drive area at all.    

This detrimental change means that the far west end of Perth Road around Clovis Duveau Drive will no longer be served by this service – it currently covers the area on its return route eastwards from Ninewells and the Technology Park back into the City Centre – and I concerned about this not only for the residents involved but also visitors to the Riverview Nursing Home who rely on the service.

I recently wrote to the Managing Director of National Express Dundee, Phil Smith, who has replied :

“Yes this is correct we have taken a commercial decision to make Service 5 a more attractive proposition for those customers wishing to travel to and from Ninewells Hospital.   Other bus services provide to and from the western extremity of Perth Road and the other roads stated. Our objective is to make Ninewells Hospital the primary focus of Service 5 so that it calls there before serving the Technology Park.” 

I have, in response, pointed out to National Express Dundee that Service 5 does already serve Ninewells Hospital – which is also extremely well served by many other bus services.     I further point out that, in numerous proposed changes by Stagecoach Strathtay,  changes on the 73 group of services mean Saturday services also reduced from 6 buses an hour to 4 in the West End.

The changes are highly detrimental to the residents in the area and I have asked for a rethink by National Express Dundee.   I have also queried with Stagecoach Strathtay their proposed reduction in Saturday Service 73 in the area.