To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with SWestrans to discuss bus provision in Dumfries and Galloway. (S6O-05382)

My officials have been in regular contact with Dumfries and Galloway Council and SWestrans. The most recent meeting took place on 9 July to obtain updates on the changes to bus services in the area.

As the member knows, local authorities have a duty to identify where there is a social need for particular bus services, and they can subsidise those at their discretion. The Scottish Government has no powers to intervene on that decision making.

In November, I also agreed to meet Dumfries and Galloway Council to discuss bus services, and my office is awaiting feedback from it to make those arrangements happen.

I thank the Minister for that answer, but I am somewhat shocked that he has not met SWestrans or Dumfries and Galloway Council since 9 July last year. In the meantime, I have held several meetings with SWestrans since the near collapse of bus services following the withdrawal of Stagecoach services right across the region last summer.

Since then, some at-risk services, such as the morning 74 service from Moffat to Dumfries, have been restored, thanks in part to Annandale Community Transport Service and the work of SWestrans. However, serious concerns remain on key routes, including in Annandale and Nithsdale.

The Government is allocating a further £56 million to concessionary travel in the budget, but the problem for many of the communities that I represent is that there is simply no bus for them to travel on, discounted, free or otherwise. Will the Government now commit to properly funding rural bus services to end the social injustice that affects too many of our rural communities, including in Dumfriesshire?

As I said in my initial answer, I have written to Dumfries and Galloway Council to set up discussions about what is needed in its area, and I am still awaiting a response. We will continue to look at that.

The member is right to say that the Scottish Government has put £50 million-plus into concessionary travel, but we have also invested £4 million to support local authorities to build business cases for local bus improvements. That is on-going. Our bus fare cap pilot, which will be delivered across the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership and Shetland Transport Partnership areas, is a commitment that we are giving to bus operators and local authorities to ensure that we can deliver those services. There will be a further round of the plugged-in communities grant fund, which will directly help rural communities.

We are taking a range of measures right across the piece to ensure that we have the engagement and the services that local people want in rural communities. I am determined to ensure that we continue to do more.