People power could be used to heap pressure on transport bosses to restore scrapped bus timetables in a Moray town.
Residents on Spynie Street in Elgin are outraged the number of journeys the number 30 makes have been slashed.
What was previously an hourly service now has a two and a half hour gap between 2.30pm and the last bus at 5pm on weekdays for locals heading into the town centre.
Stagecoach is now “reflecting” on feedback from the changes to see if improvements are needed. Elgin City North councillor Patsy Gowans is eager to find a compromise.
She said: “The issue is really the demographic. Spynie Street is mainly retired people ranging from 60 to 85.
“One of the main problems is there is a steep hill to get to other buses. It’s fine going down it but not walking up it with lots of shopping, especially at this time of year.
“There was a similar problem in Larch Court a couple of years ago and a compromise was reached. Sometimes a little pressure is what is needed, maybe a petition.”
The route previously continued to Lossiemouth but now runs as a circular within Elgin. Residents on Spynie Street believe other changes could have been made instead of leaving the afternoon gap.
Mabel Hay said: “It’s just a joke now. It was fine as it was and was very well used as an hourly service. The numbers have just dropped off now, you only get about four people on a big bus.
“I’ve e-mailed Stagecoach about it but heard nothing back. We’ve started talking about getting a petition up and running.”
Mary Meldrum said: “We’re very disappointed with the new timetables. They could have taken off the first buses in the morning and left the rest because they weren’t used as much.”
A Stagecoach spokeswoman explained the number 30 was reduced in the afternoon to reflect “travel habits”.
She said: “Our bus network was redesigned in October with the aim to provide a better, more efficient and more reliable package of services to our customers.
“We have been closely monitoring the services since October 24 and have been grateful for customer comments on the new services.
“We will be taking the opportunity to reflect on the changes to see if there are further improvements that can be made.”