Question reference: S5W-31413
- Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 25 August 2020
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 September 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to people in Pathhead, Fala and Fala Dam who have had no access to public transport following the closure of the A68 due to a landslide.
Answer
Transport Scotland liaises closely with Midlothian Council on a daily basis to discuss and mitigate any concerns highlighted as a result of the landslide or local impacts around the affected area. Public transport operates in a deregulated market where individual bus operators use their commercial judgement to decide provision of services. Additionally, local authorities have a duty to subsidise services that they deem to be socially necessary and that would otherwise not be provided commercially. Notwithstanding this, Transport Scotland will continue to support the local authority to mitigate the impact of affected public transport and liaise with transport operators as required.