A pensioner has launched a campaign to save her local bus service over fears residents of Turriff will end up losing their independence and feel stuck in their homes.
The council previously announced that a new dial-a-bus service would be introduced as part of a pilot to replace the Stagecoach Bluebird town and circular route.
Passengers will need to pre-book their journeys on the wheelchair-accessible minibuses by phone or e-mail up to two weeks in advance.
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The new council-operated service, which is funded through an EU project promoting sustainable rural travel, will be in operation from Monday.
Customers are recommended to book no later than the day before travel but same day bookings may be available with at least an hour’s notice if there is already a bus run planned.
However, local resident Shelagh Leask said she is concerned about the booking arrangement and has now launched a petition against the plans.
She said: “I started the petition after hearing about a fellow passenger who said she wasn’t sleeping at night as she was scared she would end up trapped in her home due to the change.
“By making the bus something you have to book in advance you’re stripping people of their independence and freedom.
“We won’t be able to have any spontaneity so I think it will result in isolation and possible feelings of depression as people will be stuck at home.”
The 67-year-old visited shops around Turriff and had gathered 80 signatures within an hour.
She also planned to attend a council meeting at the Gateway Community Centre in Turriff last night where the proposals were being discussed with local residents.
Ms Leask added: “If they kept two of the bus routes at the same time each day at least people would be able to go out and about.
“I broke my hip 10 years ago and have been relying on it. Clearly they just think we’re a town of old people who will be grateful to get to Tesco and back and that we can plan it a week in advance but they’re wrong.”
Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee, Peter Argyle, said: “It’s hoped this pilot project is a better way of serving residents’ transport needs, while trialling a new way of replacing a fixed route bus service with a more sustainable, demand-responsive transport service.
“I hope people will be pleased with the new service, which seeks to accommodate passengers’ requirements as much as possible.”