Graeme DeyGraeme Dey
  • News
    • Angus South
    • Holyrood
    • Westminster
    • Education
  • About
    • Graeme Dey MSP
    • GDPR
      • Privacy Policy
      • Child Data Protection
      • Cookies
  • Surgeries
    • Surgery Times
  • Issues
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Law & Order
    • Social Security
    • Transport
    • Devolved and Reserved Powers
  • Gallery
    • 2021 –
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2021
    • 2016 – 2020
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
    • 2011 – 2015
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
  • Videos
    • Members’ Business
    • Questions
      • First Minister’s Questions
      • General Questions
      • Portfolio Questions
      • Topical Questions
  • Contact
    • Contact Graeme
    • Consent Form
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
Monday, September 25
Graeme DeyGraeme Dey
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • News
    1. Angus South
    2. Holyrood
    3. Westminster
    4. Education
    5. View All

    2-Child Benefit Cap Hits 1,330 Angus Children

    13th September 2023

    Giving a voice to people who use mental health services in Angus

    11th September 2023

    Graeme’s Column

    1st September 2023

    Local SNP Politicians Seek to Remove Banking Hub Obstacles

    10th August 2023

    Agreement powering onshore wind development

    24th September 2023

    Scottish Parliament approves final extension of tenant protections

    21st September 2023

    Minimum Unit Pricing Consultation

    20th September 2023

    Improving Digital Connectivity

    20th September 2023

    SNP Slams PM for Net Zero U-Turns

    22nd September 2023

    Where Westminster fails, Scotland can succeed

    24th August 2023

    UK Lagging Behind European Neighbours

    18th August 2023

    Labour rows back on Workers’ Rights

    18th August 2023

    New Scottish Education Exchange Programme

    11th September 2023

    Record number of young Scots in education, training or employment

    30th August 2023

    Visit to Forth Valley College

    22nd August 2023

    Results Day 2023

    8th August 2023

    Agreement powering onshore wind development

    24th September 2023

    SNP Slams PM for Net Zero U-Turns

    22nd September 2023

    Scottish Parliament approves final extension of tenant protections

    21st September 2023

    Minimum Unit Pricing Consultation

    20th September 2023
  • About
    • Graeme Dey MSP
    • GDPR
      • Privacy Policy
      • Child Data Protection
      • Cookies
  • Surgeries
    • Surgery Times
  • Issues
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Law & Order
    • Social Security
    • Transport
    • Devolved and Reserved Powers
  • Gallery
    • 2021 –
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2021
    • 2016 – 2020
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
    • 2011 – 2015
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
  • Videos
    • Members’ Business
    • Questions
      • First Minister’s Questions
      • General Questions
      • Portfolio Questions
      • Topical Questions
  • Contact
    • Contact Graeme
    • Consent Form
Graeme DeyGraeme Dey
You are at:Home»Angus South»Graeme’s Column

Graeme’s Column

GraemeBy Graeme4th July 20222 Views3 Mins Read Angus South
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp

Seeking Better Public Transport for Angus

One of the main constituency issues occupying my time of late has been public transport.

To be more accurate, the reliability of such.

There is no denying the seriousness of matters here in Angus.

Bus driver shortages, caused either through illness of lack of numbers, have led to short notice cancellations which have caused very significant issues for those constituents who depend on these services.

The 73-service running up the coastal strip between Dundee and Arbroath has been particularly impacted. But I am also aware of reduced reliability on the number 20 serving Kirriemuir.

Dialogue with Stagecoach has revealed that the extent of the problem has led them to draft in drivers from St Andrews and Dunfermline to help alleviate the situation in the short term whilst a recruitment drive, including the holding of a special event at their Arbroath depot later this month, gathers speed.

Personally, I am no fan of the existing bus model we depend upon in this country and I look forward to the opportunities arising from the recently enacted legislation which will enable local authorities, should they desire, to enter into partnership or franchising arrangements, as an alternative to what we have presently.

In the meantime, we need to see improvement in the reliability of the services we have.

Trains too have been an issue with timetable reductions emanating from an indigenous pay rise claim never mind the UK wide strikes impacting Network Rail) and changes to services affecting Carnoustie and Monifieth, combining to create considerable dissatisfaction.

Reaching agreement on the Scottish specific issue, along with driver training ramping up, should see the timetable recovered and hopefully built upon.

Meanwhile, discussions I’ve had with ScotRail have led to a commitment to restore the Carnoustie commuter service to Dundee whose withdrawal has caused the most upset. They have also agreed to look again in due course at improving the direct links from Monifieth to Edinburgh.

I do though want to encourage constituents to support rail services as they return to something resembling pre-pandemic levels, albeit aligned to the changed travel patterns we will have post COVID-19.

Rail is a safe and environmentally responsible means of travel. We have seen, over the past decade, an increase in the number of trains serving the coastal strip of Angus and an accompanying rise in passenger numbers. But for the good of the planet and to ensure we maintain that service level we need to see an increase in footfall.

Angus Bus Travel column public transport rail Scotrail
Previous ArticleGood Food Nation Bill Passed
Next Article Celebrating World Youth Skills Day with Angus Training Group
Graeme

Member of the Scottish Parliament for Angus South Constituency. Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans.

Related Posts

Peak fares removal pilot dates confirmed

13th September 2023

2-Child Benefit Cap Hits 1,330 Angus Children

13th September 2023

Giving a voice to people who use mental health services in Angus

11th September 2023
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook 2.7K
  • Twitter 1.5K
  • Instagram 560
  • YouTube 101
latest news

Agreement powering onshore wind development

SNP Slams PM for Net Zero U-Turns

Scottish Parliament approves final extension of tenant protections

Minimum Unit Pricing Consultation

About
About

Graeme Dey is the the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Angus South Constituency.

Having worked for The Courier newspaper for 26 years, Graeme was elected to Holyrood in 2011.

In March 2023, Graeme was chosen by First Minister Humza Yousaf to be Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans.

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
Latest Posts

Agreement powering onshore wind development

SNP Slams PM for Net Zero U-Turns

Scottish Parliament approves final extension of tenant protections

Minimum Unit Pricing Consultation

Flickr Photos
Ayrshire College
Poverty Alliance
Ayrshire College
Aberdeen University
Forth Valley College Falkirk campus
SRUC
Agricarbon 2
Agricarbon 1
Tayside Council on Alcohol
Richmond Fellowship
HOPE Organic Garden 2
Active Schools Angus 1
Star Rock Shop 3
Barry Mill 1
Peel Farm 2
White Ribbon Campaign
© 2023 Graeme Dey MSP. No parliamentary funds have been used to create and maintain this website.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Go to mobile version