Concerns voiced about cuts to bus services in Hawick

The H1 and H2 town services are due to have their timetables changed from Monday, May 18, and that will lead to a reduction in evening buses.

The X95 service between Hawick and Carlisle will also be reduced, with the 6.05pm and 8.25pm buses on weekdays being withdrawn from Friday, May 15.

The 9.05pm and 10.55pm Friday-only services will be axed too.

Additionally, the frequency of the X95 on Sundays is due to be reduced from four journeys to three.

Consultation events called Your Bus Matters are being held at Burnfoot Community Hub on Monday, March 16, and at Denholm Village Hall the following day, both from 10am to 3pm.

The drop-in sessions are being run by Bus Users Scotland and Scottish Borders Council to give passengers the opportunity to discuss the changes, as well as the potential to create community-led transport projects.

The Burnfoot session was organised by Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall, and he is urgingtownsfolk to go along and have their say at both events.

He said: “The Your Bus Matters event in the hub is of vital importance to the people of Burnfoot.

“Big changes in their bus services are being planned and I am calling on everyone living within the Burnfoot area to attend this drop-in session.

“With over 3,300 people living in this part of my ward, many of whom rely heavily on a bus service that’s fit for purpose, it’s really important that they come along and make their views known and see first hand the changes that are being proposed.

“If there is any reduction in the current level of bus service within this area, I fear many people, and in particular the elderly, will without doubt become socially isolated.

“Denholm is holding a similar event, and I am fully supporting villagers in their calls for an improvement to their public transport links.”

Selkrkshire councillor Gordon Edgar, the council’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, said: “We have already carried out extensive consultation on this review, with the two Your Bus Matters events at Burnfoot and Denholm offering another opportunity for communities in Teviot and Liddesdale to discuss local bus services.

“Despite the low usage of the bus services identified as part of the review, we know they can still be seen as vital links, which is why we have proposed alternative services where possible and are keen to support community-led transport projects.”

The drop-in at Denholm will be discussing in particular the No 20 service provided by Jedburgh firm Peter Hogg and the possibility of funding for extra services.

Hawick and Denholm councillor Clair Ramage said: “When I am attending community council meetings, public transport is frequently on the agenda.

“It is vital that people attend these events as it is true to say use it or lose it.

“We need to have a well-run bus service to enable our communities to travel about the town and further afield, be it for jobs or for visiting family.

“To cut services is to cut opportunities for people of every age and does not encourage many to stop using their cars if you have to wait a long time for the next bus.

“I fully understand why it is felt we need to cut services, but we need to think how we can engage with the public and encourage everyone to use public transport.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson added: “There shouldn’t be any cuts to buses in rural areas like the Borders.

“Some people aren’t able to drive for whatever reason and some folk just simply can’t afford a car.”

“I think Westminster and the Scottish parliament should get together and find some kind of funding to increase the frequency of buses, especially in rural areas like the Borders and areas that do not have access to the railway, then there would be more people using the bus instead of the car and we could all be doing our bit to save the planet.”

To give an opinion on the changes, email [email protected] by Friday, March 20.