Community protests as Royal Mail scraps Perthshire post bus

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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We are not a public transport operator, says company
By Cameron Brooks

Published: 15/01/2011

Royal Mail has been criticised over its decision to axe a post bus service in Perthshire.

Community leaders are unhappy that passengers who travel along the Pitlochry to Rannoch Station route will be picked up for the last time on February 2.

They fear limiting the transportation options available to people who live in and visit the area could further damage the fragile rural economy.

A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said it did not take the decision “lightly” but passenger numbers were low and it was not a transportation firm.

She added that the changing marketplace meant the organisation needed more flexibility to enable it to focus on delivering letters and packages.

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said he was “very disappointed” with the decision and vowed to lobby Royal Mail.

“Local residents believe that this is an important service and should be kept,” he said.

“The post bus being withdrawn will be an unpopular decision as it is yet another example of our rural communities’ losing services and making it harder to live and work in rural parts of Scotland.

“That is why I have written to Royal Mail on the matter and I want to know if they believe that cutting this service is the right decision and what impact it will have on the area.”

Rannoch and Tummel Community Council chairman Alex Grosset said the move, which will be discussed fully at a meeting on Wednesday, was a cause of concern.

“There have been voices saying the decision has to be deplored because it is another service being removed from remote and rural areas,” he said.

“The service is the only one along the south side of Loch Rannoch.

“It was used by holidaymakers because the timings are good to get to Pitlochry at lunchtimes, so they could have a look around.”

The Royal Mail spokes-woman said only 16 passengers a week used the service.

“Our intention to withdraw from this service has not been reached lightly,” she added.

“With full competition in the postal market, falling mail volumes, our focus on meeting strict service targets and our need for operational flexibility means that Royal Mail has no choice but to focus on its core business of collecting, sorting and delivering mail.”

She added: “We value highly our role in operating post buses in rural areas. However, we are not a public transport operator.”

Broons Buses and Taxis operates two services between Pitlochry and Kinloch Rannoch and Kinloch Rannoch and Rannoch Station.



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[George Motion]

Use the post bus much,Murdo ?