Lochaber Times - From our Files - 20.2.25

People power forces bus firm timetable rethink

 

Bus firm Stagecoach is to make some changes to timetables in the Fort William area following an angry backlash from passengers.

 

As we reported two weeks ago, the operator had come under fire from users and local councillors for introducing the new schedules and cutting services without proper consultation.

 

A litany of complaints emerged in the days after the new timetables went live on January 26.

 

It was claimed the changes were making some children late for school and that people were unable to get to and from work at convenient times.

 

A reduction in services to and from the Plantation in Fort William, changes to bus routes and a huge cut in Sunday services across the town were also highlighted. 

 

Stagecoach said the overhaul, which involved reducing the number of buses serving the greater Fort William area from six to five, was required due to the ‘level of patronage not supporting the operation’.

 

Under a contract, Stagecoach receives an annual subsidy from Highland Council and by taking out a vehicle and redrawing the timetables, it is understood the firm has cut the contract costs by at least £25,000.

 

Lochaber councillors said the impact of the timetable changes was unacceptable and blasted Stagecoach for not consulting customers or the local transport forum before publishing the new schedules.

 

And last Friday, councillors grilled Steve Walker, managing director of Stagecoach North Scotland, at a meeting in Lochaber House, Fort William.

 

Fort William and Ardnamurchan councillor Brian Murphy, who is also chairman of Lochaber Transport Forum, said: ‘It’s fair to say there was a frank exchange of views.

 

‘The bus company think there is something they can do to address some of the complaints and Mr Walker agreed to come back with proposals. 

 

‘Local councillors expressed anger at the way the timetables were introduced and the firm’s complete failure to consult its own customers in a meaningful way.

 

‘The new timetables were clearly drawn up to suit Stagecoach, not the travelling public.

 

‘It was a case of them saying to passengers, ‘Here’s the timetable, like it or lump it’.’

 

Caol and Mallaig councillor Ben Thompson told us: ‘The meeting with Stagecoach was productive but it’s not the end of the story.

 

‘They accepted that they would make some improvements that will address all the complaints received - but only partly. Their solutions aren’t perfect by any means but that’s what we’ll have to keep pushing them on.

 

‘They still won’t extend the Sunday evening service - though they offered an extended morning service. So there is still work to do and we’ll keep pushing them.’

 

Mr Walker said: ‘Following a meeting with councillors in the Fort William area we plan to make some amendments to the timetables in the area.

 

‘The journey from Plantation to Caol Primary School will be restored and some school services will be re-timed.

 

‘The 0900 journey from Corpach will be restored on a Sunday and there will be an hourly service from Alma Road to Fort William town centre operating Monday to Saturday.

 

‘We hope these amendments will reduce the problems that some residents have faced with the new timetables.’

 

TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO

Thursday February 24, 2000

Millennium heroes to collect for charity at Arisaig School

 

Pupils and staff at Arisaig Primary School are busy preparing for two performances of their annual con-cert. 

 

Millennium Heroes takes place next Monday and Tuesday. It starts at 7pm both nights.

 

All 43 pupils are involved in the play, which is about what young people can do with their lives in the new Millennium. 

 

The school has decided to support the Marie Curie Cancer Care campaign by giving each member of the audience a silk daffodil in exchange for a donation.

 

Head Teacher Felicity Blackburn said: ‘We were very keen to support the campaign. Marie Curie provides a service which can benefit anyone in the community, regardless of age, should they need it.’

FIFTY YEARS AGO

Thursday February 20, 1975

Swimming pool awards

 

At Fort William swimming pool on Friday afternoon Provost and Mrs G. K. B. Henderson handed over gold, silver, bronze and honours awards to a group of up-and-coming young swimmers and staff.

 

The awards, in the form of badges and certificates, were for proficiency in personal survival, and came from the committee of the Amateur Swimming Association.

 

Award winners:

Gold: Karen MeKechnie, Andrew and Robert McSeveney, George McPherson, William Murdoch, William Silver, Catherine Brown, Andrew Cargill. Gillian and Marion Wynne, Catherine Brown, Karen McKechnie,

Bronze: James and Mariann Rogan, William Silver.

Honours: Graham Brooks, Doris McDermott, Robert Murdoch, Pat McKechnie, David McKellar, James Addison, Andrew Cargill.

 

Earlier in the week 21 pupils from Inverlochy Primary School passed the bronze award.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO

Saturday February 21, 1924

Mallaig News

 

THE London and North Eastern Railway Company are at present erecting extra waiting room accommodation at the station to meet the needs of increased passenger traffic during the summer months.

 

THE s.s. ‘Rinaldo’ had two heavy cargoes of fish from Stornoway during last week.

Sunday she discharged 6000 boxes of kippers and 1000 packages for despatch by special trains to the southern markets.

 

At a meeting of the local Women’s Rural Institute held last week, Mrs D. Macdougall was appointed president and Miss Mackenzie joint secretary in place of the retiring office-bearers.

 

After several disappointing weeks through bad weather the fishing fleet had more success last week both at the herring fishing and at the great line fishing. 

 

On Saturday the heaviest landings of the season were made. Twelve boats had 800 crans from Coll Bank and the Stornoway grounds whilst one arrival from the Irish Coast had 160 crans. 

 

Prices were firm up to 50s per cran. Seventeen liners had from 20 to 50 score white fish selling at high prices.

 

Given a continuance of settled weather prospects are quite bright for the next few weeks.

 

With the more settled weather three drifters arrived from Coll on Thursday week, with a total of 30 crans of herring of good quality. These sold at 73s to 83s per cran. Three liners had fair supplies of line fish, and quotations were again advanced for all kinds. Weather wintry but steadier.