When Stagecoach suddenly pulled out of Dumfries and Galloway, it left people stranded. Students struggling to get to college. Workers no longer able to reach their jobs. School children left waiting at bus stops as the bus they rely on to get to school went past full
This crisis shows us something important: buses are not just a business; they are a lifeline for our communities.
The Real Cost of Putting Profit First
Right now, our transport system is broken. Big companies like Stagecoach can walk away when they don't make enough money. They leave behind empty bus stops and broken promises.
Meanwhile, our brilliant local firms are doing their best to fill the gaps. But they don't have the buses or drivers that Stagecoach had. The South West of Scotland Transport Partnership is working hard to patch things together, but it's like trying to fix a leaky roof in a storm.
The result? Packed buses that can't take children to school. Services that don't connect properly. People feeling let down and left out.
A Better Way Forward
As your Scottish Green candidate, I believe buses should serve people, not shareholders. We need bus services run by local councils and communities - like the amazing Climate Action Strathaven in South Lanarkshire who’ve shown what’s possible when communities take control.
Think about it this way: we don't ask fire stations or hospitals to make a profit. Why should buses be any different? Transport is a public service that everyone deserves.
The Climate Crisis Connection
Here's the big picture: transport creates more climate pollution in Scotland than anything else. More cars mean more emissions. Fewer buses mean more cars. It's a cycle that's heating up our planet and making our air dirtier.
We've spent decades building roads and making car travel easy. Now we need to do the same for buses, trains, cycling and walking. We need to make public transport so good that people choose it over driving.
Making Change Happen
The Scottish Greens have a clear plan:
Free travel for young people: Thanks to our hard work, everyone under 22 can now travel free on buses. We want to extend this to everyone aged 26 and under. Then we'll work towards free public transport for everyone.
Investment that works: Instead of spending billions on new roads, we'll put that money into buses, trains, cycle paths and safe walking routes. We'll help communities run their own transport services.
Clean, green vehicles: We'll speed up the switch from dirty diesel buses to clean electric ones. This means cleaner air in our towns and cities.
Safe streets for everyone: Whether you walk, wheel, cycle or catch the bus, you should feel safe. We'll redesign our streets to put people first, not cars.
Why This Matters for You
Better buses mean:
More money in your pocket (no petrol, insurance or parking costs)
Cleaner air for your children to breathe
Less traffic on our roads
More jobs in the green economy that people can actually get to
Stronger communities where people can easily visit friends and family
This isn't just about transport. It's about creating a fairer society where everyone can get around easily, no matter how much money they have.
Time for Change
The climate emergency won't wait. Every year we delay means more extreme weather, more flooding, and a harder future for our children.
But we can turn this around. We can build a transport system that works for people and planet. We can create jobs, cut pollution, and make life better for everyone in the South of Scotland.
The choice is clear: we can keep doing the same old things and watch our climate and communities suffer. Or we can choose hope, choose change, and choose the Scottish Greens.
Together, we can make public transport the easy, affordable choice for everyone. Together, we can tackle the climate crisis. Together, we can build the future our region deserves.
The Dumfries & Galloway Bus Users Group is holding a one-day Bus Day at the Zone in Castle Douglas (formerly Castle Douglas Community Centre) on Saturday 4th October from 11-3. Come along to have your say about the future of transport in our region and join the group.
You can follow my campaign on social media or contact me directly through this blog. I'd love to hear from you.
Laura Moodie
Scottish Green Party Candidate for South of Scotland
