Residents at a sheltered housing complex are gearing up for their second fight to save their bus service in just three years.
Tenants at Larch Court in Elgin previously teamed up when Stagecoach changed the route of the service in 2014.
On that occasion a compromise arrangement was brokered and passengers were able to get back on the buses outside the sheltered housing.
Now Stagecoach is proposing to withdraw the 33 service between Lesmurdie Road and Newmill Road again due to low passenger use.
Yesterday, residents at Larch Court insisted they could be left housebound by the withdrawal of the lifeline services outside their home.
Tenant Elizabeth Kelman said: “We need to fight for it. If we do nothing then they will just end up walking all over you.
“A lot of the people here use the bus every day. I use it on occasion even though I can still drive – but I won’t be able to forever.
“A taxi from here into the town costs £4. People just can’t afford to spend that kind of money.”
Margaret McLean added: “This is the second time we are fighting for our bus. We lost it before and got it back, we can do it again. It’s a lifeline for us.”
The tenants have now enlisted the support of Moray MSP Richard Lochhead to help persuading the bus firm to retain the 33 service to their front door.
While meeting the politician yesterday, residents stressed they would be willing to accept a reduced timetable as a compromise.
Mr Lochhead has asked Stagecoach to meet the residents and is calling on subsidies to protect essential links.
He said: “No routes should be removed unless they are replaced. I would like Moray Council to convene a task force, with community representation, to work out the best solutions to maintain existing services or find an appropriate successor.”
Elgin City North councillor Patsy Gowans suggested an “entrepreneurial” scheme could be set up to run a private bus for residents.
She added: “The residents here aren’t able to walk to catch the bus on the Lossiemouth road. It’s too far for them.”
Moray Council has already insisted it cannot commit to funding bus services while it is faced with reducing budgets.
Stagecoach has stressed the routes that could be withdrawn as part of the proposals have had low passenger numbers.
