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Alex Salmond blasts 'reckless' Lothian Buses

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Published Date: 30 April 2008
FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has accused Lothian Buses of behaving recklessly and making a "panicky announcement" over fuel shortages.
His comment came after last week's scare over Edinburgh's biggest bus company running out of fuel within days. Mr Salmond raised the issue yesterday as he showed UK Business Secretary John Hutton around the Scottish Government's emergency room in the basement of St Andrew's House.

Mr Salmond said: "Although they behaved rather recklessly, to say the least, they had done it on the basis of a piece of misinformation and miscommunication between themselves and BP."

Lothian Buses rejected the idea the company had been reckless or panicky.





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1

BIG EYE,

Paisley 30/04/2008 12:20:01
Had they had a call from Nicol Stephen? If Scotland ever wanted to see the difference between the new government and the old Lab/Lib government it was first Minister's questions this week as Stephen displayed just how pathetic his Lib Dums have become.

His attempt to cause panic amongst motorists was completely irresponsible and cam at a time when only five petrol stations in Scotland had no fuel and a further twenty eight out of over 900 stations were experiencing some difficulties.

Thank God we had the SNP rather than this lot in charge and given the propblems now made public in Aberdeen and clearly caused under the Liberal and Labour administrations can I ask Nicol whether his famous nose is on the case?
2

me150,

30/04/2008 12:40:24
This has nowt to do with party politics.

The bus company simply stated that, at their then stock levels of fuel, that they would run out and have to cancel services. At that time they had no idea if or when they were to get additional fuel.

The main problem is with how media reports such matters and the public percetion of how things are. When you consider that the media over dramatise stories and like to stir it up and the public in general are pathetic enough to believe every misguided news report then it is no wonder this got out of hand.

This is, yet again, another piece of no news and very poor judgement by a very poor 'so-called' First Minister.
3

Merouane,

Edinburgh 30/04/2008 13:39:59
#2. What was the poor judgement on the part of the FM? And why did you write 'so-called' before his title?
4

Auld Twa,

Edinburgh 30/04/2008 13:45:06
How many buses were cancelled due to lack of fuel ?
5

Sanny,

30/04/2008 15:21:46
Am I alone in having difficulty in relating the headline with the article content?

Alex Salmond simply stated the company had made a statement based on misunderstood or incorrect information which a sensible manager should have checked out thoroughly before making any statement. I don’t consider that as Blasting the Bus company as implied in the headline.

I sometimes wonder if our journalists and Editors have lost the art of communication.
6

Merouane,

Edinburgh 30/04/2008 16:57:04
#5. Nope, it's not just you. I think you're wrong in your reasoning though. The journalists at Scotsman Publications are perfectly capable, however, in articles like this, they have an agenda to pander to.

Every little helps... when you're saving the Union ;)
7

Queen D,

Glasgow 30/04/2008 19:01:13
The panic merchant was the so called leader of the Damp Libs.
The real First Minister of Scotland hardly blasted the buses ,but you are correct in saying every little helps!
Never have I been so appalled by the so called Scottish press and their partisan reporting as I have over the last year.
And the so called Scottish BBC can take a running jump into the Clyde as far as I am concerned.
Come to think of it , perhaps the so called Scottish Television could join them.
And the so called Scottish Labour Party. the so called Scottish Tory party and the so called Scottish Liberal Party , could join them too!
I'll leave the Scottish Green Party out of the equation - for now!
8

Why can't I use my usual name?,

Glasgow 30/04/2008 23:17:25
I'll bet he wouldn't have criticised Stagecoach had they said something daft!
9

Gina Gibson,

Wales 01/05/2008 15:42:52
#8 Why don't you wait to see if they DO say something daft??
10

Mr Fuzzy,

Edinburgh 07/05/2008 00:56:51
#4
As Monday was a Bank Holiday, they reduced most Bus Routes to Saturday service.
11

pjbhoy,

Glasgow 01/08/2008 20:09:50
#8 you’re spot on!

The SNP pledged they would reregulate bus services prior to last year’s Holyrood election.

Then they accept a donation from the owner of Stagecoach and without reason the proposal was dropped.

We just have to accept there is little hope of further investment in public transport from the Scottish Government.

 

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