Bus links to new Vic are 'key' priority says NHS
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 9 Dec 2011 08:50
4 Comments
GOOD bus links for West Fife travellers are being given a high priority with the opening of the new wing at Victoria Hospital and the switch of key services there, claim health chiefs.
Many communities have expressed concerns about the problems facing hospital visitors travelling from West Fife.
However, representatives from NHS Fife, Stagecoach East Scotland and Fife Council came together on Tuesday to highlight "improved public transport access for patients and visitors to the new wing".
Buses are set to travel through the hospital site for the very first time from 23rd January, with two new bus stops on-site allowing existing Stagecoach services from across Fife to drop off patients and visitors near the main entrance.
A total of more than 280 buses are set to drop off passengers directly on-site during the week, with 270 buses on-site on Saturdays and 80 buses on-site on Sundays.
In addition, other existing bus services will continue to call at stops around the hospital site.
NHS Fife, Fife Council and Stagecoach East Scotland have undertaken partnership work to improve accessibility across Fife and with service moves from Queen Margaret Hospital due to take place in January, there will be additional early morning buses from Dunfermline servicing the Victoria Hospital site.
Dr William Dove, NHS Fife Travel Plan co-ordinator, said, "As part of NHS Fife's long-term travel planning and sustainability aims, promoting viable travel options instead of driver-only car journeys is key, particularly when many Fife residents neither own nor have easy access to cars.
"The new wing at Victoria Hospital has provided an ideal opportunity to improve access by public transport, with two new bus stops being built on-site near to the new main entrance - both have timetable information, seating and double length shelters.
"I am very pleased to say that by working closely with partners in Fife Council transportation and environmental services and Stagecoach East Scotland, direct buses from these stops will serve Aberdour, Auchterderran, Cardenden, Cowdenbeath, Dalgety Bay, Dunfermline city centre, Dunfermline Queen Margaret Hospital, Glenrothes, Inverkeithing, Kennoway, Kinghorn, Kinglassie, Kirkcaldy bus station, Kirkcaldy railway station, Leslie, Leven, Lochgelly, Rosyth, Thornton and many other areas.
"With a single change of service at Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy or Leven bus stations, many more locations are within convenient reach.
"Additional services are also available from the bus stops on both Hayfield Road and Dunnikier Road, which are within 500 metres or a five-minute walk of the main entrance."
Sarah Longair, operations director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said, "We are delighted to be able to revise our local routes and timetables to serve the new wing at Victoria Hospital, with regular routes operating into the new site and many additional connections available.
"We are constantly reviewing our network and will be monitoring usage and journey reliability to ensure we are adequately satisfying the needs of our customers. Our selection of tickets also makes travelling easy and affordable for both staff and visitors."
Councillor Tony Martin, chair of Fife Council's environment, enterprise and transportation committee, added, "I'm delighted that following negotiations with NHS Fife and Stagecoach so many buses are operating via the new site.
"This will help us achieve our aim of making Fife the leading green council in Scotland.
"We are currently in the process of updating the 'How To Get To Victoria Hospital' leaflet.
"These will be available in the new year from hospital reception areas, Fife Council offices, local health centres and GP practices."
The updated leaflet will also be available online at www.nhsfife.org under 'Victoria Hospital' or via the Fife Council website.
A dedicated web-based journey planner is also available on www.nhsfife.org which generates a personalised public transport journey plan (including details of where and when to change buses/trains).
Information on Stagecoach timetables can also be accessed at www.stagecoachbus.com later this month.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
-
scott1970
23 posts
Dec 9, 19:35
Report commentMore changes can't they just change everything once? And at the same time.no wonder the passengers get confused.
Recommend?
Yes 4
No 4
-
******
Dec 11, 12:36
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
-
mikeintheknow
98 posts
Dec 11, 13:53
Report commentThere is NO news services, nothing new being added, also the X27 extra two morning journeys start on Monday 12 Dec. It was also planed that all the buses would operate via the new stops in the grounds. NHS and fife council spin again...
Recommend? Yes 3
No 1
-
davie1
26 posts
Dec 15, 11:50
Report commentSo let me get this right. If you are hurt in some way - not bad enough for an ambulance - you are expected to jump on a bus!
Why dont they just keep the hospital in Dunfermline open in the first place - the toons big enough to need one?
Recommend? Yes 6
No 0
-
fee55uk
18 posts
Jan 4, 16:22
Report commentEach Time I ask for information at the Dunfermline Travel Shop in the bus station, I get no help what so ever, the staff in there really need to go and learn more on Customer Services as they are worse than useless, Stagecoach "should be" putting information on there web site well in advance so that everyone benefits, staff need to get to work and make all the new arrangements in advance, as well as visitors planning their journey.
I cannot understand why Stagecoach cannot print a booklet with all the bus services available to Victoria Hospital (similar to the one they do highlighting Xmas & New Year Services) this would be benefical to all concerned
Recommend? Yes 0
No 1
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
