MSP adds weight to Bourtreehill bus battle

Oct 24 2008 by Lex Brown, Irvine Herald

AN MSP has stepped into the Bourtreehill bus row, calling for the reinstatement of the weekday schedule to evening and weekend services.

Cunninghame South MSP Irene Oldfather is backing a call from pensioners who claim the changes to the Irvine Cross to Bourtreehill route forces them to get two buses to travel to church or their old folks’ club.

The MSP has written directly to the managing director of Stagecoach Ayrshire asking him to reconsider the move, which has seen the re-routing and reduction of off-peak and Sunday services.

Mrs Oldfather said the changes were causing considerable inconvenience to the elderly, many of whom travel to the two churches at the Village Centre.

She said: “As the winter months draw in, elderly people in particular are less likely to leave their homes.

“A regular bus service would at least given them the security of knowing they are able to travel in safety and without stress.

“People who work in the evenings have also felt the impact of the changes.

“These changes are causing no end of problems, and I would hope that the company will take these concerns into consideration.”