Supported Bus Services Tender Review

Half a dozen socially necessary but commercially uneconomic city bus services are set to take to the streets in the next few weeks.

The services, subsidised by Dundee City Council for an initial two years at a net cost of around £240,000 a year after anticipated fare income is considered, cover four new and two existing routes across the city.

Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council's city development committee said: "These are services that the council has agreed to subsidise to cover gaps that might need to be filled in the commercial system and routes that have historically been supported.

“While it is clear that the pandemic and other factors have heavily impacted the bus industry, it is equally transparent that the council is facing significant financial pressures, all against a backdrop of uncertainty on future passenger demand.

"But the services launching on Monday August 16 should reassure people in our communities that where there is a social need but it is not economic for the bus companies to provide them, the council will take whatever steps it can to support the provision of bus services."

Following a tender process in May, Xplore Dundee will operate the outer circle all day on Sunday and on Monday to Saturday evenings, Moffat and Williamson will run Monday to Saturday services between Kirkton, Downfield, Lawside and City Centre and Mill O Mains, Stobswell and City Centre and Monday to Saturday services between Dryburgh, Lochee, West End and City Centre and the Broughty Ferry circular will be delivered by Stagecoach East Scotland.

Detailed routes have been discussed with the companies and passengers can find further information at https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/city-development/sustainable-transport-and-roads/bus-service-information

Dundee City Council

Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.

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