Transport Update - Argyll and Bute Council

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Argyll and Bute Community Planning
Partnership 
Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning
Group 
15 August 2023 
Transport Update – Argyll and Bute Council 
 The School and Public Transport team are very busy preparing for the return
of schools across Argyll and Bute. Included in this are: 
o Revisions to the West Cowal services formerly operated by
Tighnabruaich Service Station, to account for the increased number of
pupils attending Tighnabruaich Primary School. 
o Revisions to the timings of the bus from West Cowal to Dunoon
Grammar School/Hostel, following feedback from education and
parents, to allow more time for pupils to get into the Hostel, drop bags
and get to the school. 
o Allocation of more resources on the 489 (Ardentinny – Dunoon –
Toward and vice versa) at school times to account for the increase in
pupils travelling from the Toward end of this service this academic
year, whilst still allowing for the additional seating capacity serving
Milton. Milton pupils are not entitled to free school transport due to
being well within the safe walking distance to school. However, the
popularity of Under 22 cards has produced a capacity issue on
services coming from and heading to Toward, especially on inclement
days. 
 The dedicated call centre team in Berwick for handling Pingo calls continues
to operate, and is reportedly busy with in general, older repeat customers –
the demographic we hoped this new team would capture and assist. 
 Multiple bus stops identified in the greater Dunoon area with weather
damaged flags, rusted poles, and timetable cases in a poor state of repair.
We are working through this list with our bus stop contractor to get these
replaced this financial year. 
For further information please contact:   
Martin Arnold, Contract Officer, Argyll and Bute Council
01546 604418 - martin.arnold@argyll-bute.gov.uk