SNP axed sheltered shoppers' bus service

West End councillor Fraser Macpherson today criticized the SNP administration on Dundee City Council for its actions in axing funding for the sheltered shoppers’ bus.  The service will now end on 2nd August. Local charity Dundee Food Train tried to secure external funding through the NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation but was  unsuccessful.

This follows on from other supported bus services – the 204, 206 and 236 – being stopped by the SNP at the end of March. These services were vital especially for elderly passengers.

The shoppers’ bus currently calls at every sheltered complex in Dundee once a week and takes the elderly residents to the nearest major supermarket. Its loss will be keenly felt by the large number of sheltered tenants who have used the service over many years.

Councillor Macpherson said:

 “The Liberal Democrat Group strongly opposed these SNP cuts and we think axing the sheltered shoppers’ bus is one of the most mean, miserable cuts of all. The shoppers’ bus service for elderly sheltered tenants cost only £20 500 a year to run.”  

“The council’s revenue budget this year is an enormous £466.5 million. It takes a particularly mean spirited administration to make such a cut that is minor in financial terms but a real loss to the many elderly people across Dundee who have relied on the shopping service for many years.”

“In our budget amendment this year,the Liberal Democrat Group found the money to save the shoppers’ bus but, as usual, the tin-eared SNP administration was not for listening.”

“The Food Train deserves praise for thereafter trying to save it but unfortunately it was not successful in its bid to the NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation.”

Councillor Michael Crichton, Cllr Macpherson’s West End colleague, added :

“We are extremely disappointed with this sad outcome that sees the sheltered shoppers’ bus axed and it is all down to the SNP’s mismanagement and poor decision-making. This service could have been saved but the SNP did not bother.”

“This sad news comes on the back of recent criticism of the SNP council administration’s poor record on street cleaning, parks management and failure to open leisure facilities at the Castle Green during the school holidays.”

“The failing SNP administration has been in charge of the council for 15 years and in that time services have simply declined. It is a record of failure. Just as the SNP was largely swept away at the recent general election, the winds of charge will soon blow through Scottish Government and local councils.”