For the past two months, the bus service has been in disarray. With Stagecoach pulling out of the Dumfries and Galloway area, the council has put in minimal effort to mitigate the impact, leaving commuters in a lurch. This becomes personal for me as I have friends in Moffat and Parkgate, and my mum relied on the morning 74 bus every day.

This service departed Dumfries at 6:55 and arrived in Moffat at 7:40, making a return journey to Dumfries by 8:30. It was a staple in our community, allowing people like my mum, who recently returned to full-time work after the pandemic, to commute efficiently. This route's absence has disrupted her routine and added unnecessary stress. Currently, my grandfather has been taking her to work - however he is in his late 70s.

She has been told that because of this, despite it not being her fault, that if she is unable to make it on time, then she is likely to lose her job - with no shift switches available.

The removal of this service comes at an unfortunate time and highlights a gap in the transportation network that the council must address urgently. Reliable public transportation is not a convenience for many; it is a necessity. 

I urge the council and operators to take immediate action to reintroduce this essential service. Timely and accessible transportation should be a priority, enabling residents to maintain their livelihoods and daily routines without undue hardship. 

The other 74 timing; the one that used to leave Dumfries at 8:55, and Moffat at 9:40, have been made up by other services - however these are also unsuitable - as they do not always contain downstairs seating for those with mobility impairments. Preferably, this would also be restored - as this is indirect discrimination against those whom have mobility problems. Since the 101 and X74 are not guaranteed to be single, low floor buses. Especially with the X74 only have 3 down stairs seats at the bottom, and the 101 ocassionally being ran by a Volvo B8RT Coach.

Dumfries 74 credit: 2014, Alexander Dennis ALX300 - 1999 https://www.flickr.com/photos/busmanscotland/14508413187/sizes/h/