Stirling's MP and a pair of councillors representing the town are part of a calls for a summit with bus bosses over the results of a 'comprehensive review' which will the Bannockburn depot close.
The Bannockburn depot is set for an uncertain future as plans will see operations move to LarbertA local politician has called for a crunch meeting with McGill's bosses after they confirmed a consultation which will see the Bannockburn bus depot closed and services moved to Larbert.
The future of the Cowie Road base has been thrown into doubt after the re-organisation plans were confirmed by operators McGill’s - who took over the running of the Midland Bluebird service locally from FirstBus in 2022. Midland Bluebird currently runs four depots across the country, with the Bannockburn and Larbert sites joined by another in Balfron and a depot in Livingston.
Sources have told the Observer that as many as 40 drivers based at the Bannockburn depot could be set to walk out over the plans, with fury at the proposed reshuffle at both Bannockburn and Larbert. The shock news has been blasted by local representatives, with Stirling MP Alyn Smith joining forces with a pair of SNP colleagues in councillors Brian Hambly and Bob Buchanan to call for an urgent summit with McGill’s management.
“I’ve always had good relations with McGill’s and warmly welcomed their taking over from FirstBus, but this proposed closure is a surprise. “I’ll be wanting reassurance that the workers will be protected, as well as levels of service across the network. “I’m also concerned that if Bannockburn can be closed then what about the Balfron depot? We must ensure that service across our region is not impacted and I look forward to the meeting which I expect in early course.
”Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell - who has been a persistent critic of the bus service offered by Midland Bluebird locally in the wake of regular complaints surrounding lateness and unreliability - also hit out at the move.
“It’s been a critical part of our region’s bus infrastructure long before McGill’s moved in and needs retained for the long term. ”In a statement provided to the Observer, a McGill’s spokeswoman said the move to “consolidate” the sites had been made after a “comprehensive review” of its operations in Forth Valley.
The spokeswoman said: “We can confirm we are consulting on the potential consolidation of our Forth Valley network which would result in all services operating from our Larbert Depot. “Bannockburn has served local communities and supported public transport across the region for many years.
“However, with Larbert and Bannockburn located only six miles apart, continuing to operate both sites poses challenges in managing our service delivery both effectively and sustainably. “Bringing operations together has the potential to allow us to take a more coordinated regional approach, strengthening the resilience and reliability of services while creating a firmer platform for future investment. “This includes ongoing fleet improvements, decarbonisation, and the potential development of Bus Rapid Transit corridors across Forth Valley.
“Services will continue to operate as normal as we undertake the consultation and passengers should not experience any disruption. There will be no change to any bus routes.
“Our priority now is to seek the views of our colleagues and answer any questions they may have. We will continue to engage closely with employees and their trade unions as the process moves forward. ”
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