BUS passengers have grasped the opportunity to make suggestions to the operators over ways to ease congestion in Peebles town centre.

Tweeddale MSP Christine Grahame described the response from bus users as “encouraging” after she asked them to comment on a range of issues relating to First Bus.

And she revealed that the company has already indicated that it may accede to travellers’ wish for the X62 service to return to Edinburgh bus station.

Ms Grahame said: “It has been encouraging to receive a number of ideas from passengers which could ease the congestion in Peebles at peak travel times.

“One suggestion is to alter the timetable of the 90A/90B town service to avoid clashes with the 62 buses.

“Alternatively, it is claimed the stop for those town services could be moved from the Post Office to the bus shelter outside the County Hotel.” Another of the suggestions which Ms Grahame will outline to First is that the X70 express bus wait at Kingsmeadows car park rather than outside the Post Office before picking up passengers from the south side of Peebles. It is also proposed the 91 (Biggar) and 93 (West Linton) services should stop outside the County Hotel.

Last month Ms Grahame asked more than 250 Borders bus users to comment on a range of issues relating to First’s routes, including the need to return the 62 service to Edinburgh Bus Station as soon as possible.

She said she had already raised that issue with First Scotland East managing director Paul McGowan who indicated the company may be prepared to do it, at least in the autumn and winter this year.

Ms Grahame said respondents to her letter were in overwhelming agreement on other issues, including the need for modern, comfortable buses, and improvements to the bus link between Galashiels and Borders General Hospital.

“A non-stop service from Edinburgh to the BGH and Melrose without a change at Galashiels would be much better,” she said.