Bus service 101/102 is retained
Published: Monday, 2nd July 2018
A bus service which links Tweeddale communities with Edinburgh and Dumfries has been retained. Partners have agreed to a new tender which will see the 101/102 service continue with providers Stagecoach and continue to serve West Linton
New services introduced
The new 101/102 timetable will also see additional 10.25am and 7.35pm services introduced and a Sunday timetable retained. Two late services which were underused will be removed.
We made partners aware in May 2018 that as part of our subsidised bus services review we did not intend to continue with our current contribution of £135,000 per year to the 101/102 service when the contract ended in August 2018.
A series of options were provided by Stagecoach as part of the new tender process, including a reduction of our contribution to £35,000 per year, which was accepted by the South West of Scotland Transport Partnership (SWestrans).
The new timetable will begin on 19 August 2018.
Councillor Gordon Edgar, Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure
“As part of our subsidised bus services review, the Council looked at our contributions to services across the Borders.
“We aimed to do this while minimising the impact on bus passengers. We believe the new timetable actually improves the service with additional daytime and evening services.
“We thank the local community for their patience and constructive input during the tender process.”
Council Leader, Councillor Shona Haslam
“With the contract for the 101/102 service coming to an end, the Council believed there was an opportunity to explore various options as part of the tender process.
“A number of options were tabled and we are pleased that the proposal being taken forward will see the 101/102 not only retained, but provide a consistent new timetable with departures at regular times, with a saving of £100,000 to Borders council tax payers.”
“We thank our partners and SWestrans for their co-operation which has ensured passengers from the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and Edinburgh can continue to use the service.”