Stagecoach buses criticised by Thurso councillor
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THE condition of buses used by Stagecoach in Caithness "leaves a lot to be desired", according to a local Highland councillor.
Councillor Matthew Reiss, who represents the Thurso and Northwest Caithness ward on Highland Council, is unhappy about the quality of the vehicles in the far north. He pointed out that the company receives a subsidy from the local authority for some bus services, although it has been reduced because of budget cutbacks.
He acknowledged Stagecoach has to make commercial decisions and had recently pulled out of the Lochaber area.
Speaking at last week's meeting of Thurso Community Council, Councillor Reiss said: "We are giving them less money but I feel the quality of the buses they operate here leaves a lot to be desired."
Community councillor Ian Wright asked if the bus contracts are discussed at Highland Council meetings and was told they are.
Ron Gunn wanted to know how long the Stagecoach contracts last and wondered if other bus companies could provide a service.
Councillor Donnie Mackay, who is also a Thurso and Northwest Caithness Highland councillor, said the school contracts tend to be for three years. These and the Dounreay contracts are the main ones for Stagecoach in the far north, it was stated.
But Councillor Mackay pointed out that some of the services provided by the company "are not paying".
Paul Cannop, a member of the public who attended the meeting, said: "Stagecoach don't seem to care about the buses they run."
He claimed a toilet on an X99 bus to Inverness was locked recently and could not be used.
"The buses are not checked before they go out," he said.
The claims were disputed by Stagecoach. A company spokeswoman said: "Our fleet of vehicles operating out of our Caithness depots are cleaned every night and are on a strict preventative maintenance schedule every 28 days.
"We will be arranging a meeting with Councillor Reiss to follow up on the comments made at the community council meeting and would like to thank the Caithness Courier for bringing this to our attention."
