Workers from Cowdenbeath Bus Garage were on the streets of Cowdenbeath this week gathering signatures for their petition to stop the closure of the Cowdenbeath depot. Bus operator Stagecoach have said the future of the Cowdenbeath garage which has been a feature in the town since 1906 is under consideration and they are expected to make an announcement soon.
The Trade Union Unite is appealing to management at Stagecoach to enter into dialogue and find a way forward that keeps the facility in Cowdenbeath. The union members were also joined by local MSP Alex Rowley who has written to the company and is speaking with Fife Council about the issue. Mr Rowley said that the Cowdenbeath Depot was very successful in maintaining contracts and running a very efficient operation providing quality local services to the area. He said; “My concern is that a closure of this depot which employs a lot of local people will lead to job losses and a reduction in services particularly on those routes that are less profitable in the evenings and weekends. We could also see work that is currently carried out from this depot being transferred to other parts of the stagecoach business where their costs are cheaper mainly though paying lower wages. My own experience of Stagecoach is that they are not known for listening to local people when it comes to their operations but we need to make the case”.
It is understood that a meeting of the workforce will take place this week where the company are expected to give staff an update on their thinking for the future of the Cowdenbeath Garage.
