The Regional Managing Director of McGill’s Alex Hornby failed to attend a forum organised by the Students’ Union this Thursday.
The event was to allow students to share their experiences of using McGill’s buses in Stirling. Multiple concerns have been raised regarding rising ticket prices, irregular buses, accessibility and the behaviour of drivers.
A Union spokesperson has commented: “Unfortunately the representative from McGills was unable to join us for the bus forum. However, we were be joined by students and staff who have provided some key themes that we look forward to discussing with McGills during a rescheduled forum.”
The new forum will take place on Wednesday, April 3 from 2pm until 3:30pm.
Coordinator of the Scottish Socialist Youth’s Better Buses campaign Joshua Parsonage has said that “It affirms the reality that private sector transport companies do not function with the interests and concerns of the user in mind. They are not fit to continue to run our public services.
“We must pursue a model of public ownership for buses in the region and across Scotland to guarantee accountability, reliability and affordability.”
McGill’s response
In a response to Brig, Alex Hornby said: “This new forum was set up for students to meet with colleagues and I to create meaningful dialogue between bus users and ourselves, and in turn create improvements to our services.
“This was a suggestion made by myself during one of the first meetings between the University community and I, again set up at our behest to create more direct conversation about local bus services.
“The first I heard about the forum being on last Thursday was that very morning via email. Therefore, I would impress that this was no deliberate attempt to avoid the session; indeed the track record I am building would indicate our keenness to create these sessions and show we are open to feedback and improvement, but obviously I need more notice to attend and ensure I am available given the breadth of operations my wider role covers.
“I remain in open contact with the university colleagues and Students’ Union, and have encouraged direct feedback about bus services in the meantime between any forum sessions – as well as at the rearranged session on April 3, which is firmly in my diary!”
Featured Image Credit: Rebecca Crockett
