Dundee City Council, having held a limited consultation exercise about rationalising bus stops, has listened to responses—and is to be given credit for that. The aim had been to remove some bus stops in order to speed up the service. The Civic Trust advocated alternative measures seemingly not being considered, such as improving bus routes, giving priority to buses at busy junctions and speeding up boarding with well proven technology.
In abandoning the rationalisation proposals, the council states that it recognises the point made by objecting groups that removal of bus stops will increase the distance between them! A trifle disingenuous, perhaps? It is, however, rightly acknowledged that this will be a significant issue for elderly or disabled passengers, or those with young children.
Also, however, one wonders if the council may be concerned about its liability for indirect disability discrimination, as those groups will be most affected.
We hope that the council will consult again and take other suggested steps to speed up the bus service, as put forward by Dundee Civic Trust and others.