Borders Buses warns it could pull out of Transport Interchange due to anti-social behaviour
Last updated 11th Nov 2026
The biggest bus operator in the Scottish Borders is warning it could withdraw services from the Transport Interchange in Galashiels due to concerns over ongoing anti-social behaviour.
Timetables have been set on fire, its customer service hub has been forced to close and a member of staff has had to move to another floor of the building for their own safety.
Local Conservative MP John Lamont, who raised the issue in the UK Parliament, has described the behaviour as " completely unacceptable".
"Borders Buses operates across all of Scotland including in Glasgow, yet face some of their worst antisocial behaviour in the Scottish Borders," he said.
"As the nights draw in they're asking for a regular visible security presence, and they have warned that if things do not improve they may have to consider withdrawing from the Transport Interchange altogether.
"Now, for the many people in the Borders who do not drive, that would be a devastating loss."
The Transport Interchange - which links the town's train and bus services - has attracted complaints of anti-social behaviour since it opened more than a decade ago.
Galashiels Community Council previously heard the building's wi-fi was turned off in an effort to discourage young people from loitering.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Lamont said: "This is the true cost of antisocial behaviour. It's robbing communities of the services that people depend on.
"Borders Buses staff at the Interchange are crucial to local transport links, yet the Scottish Government's new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour on buses do not include incidents at the transport hub, at the bus station, at the train station itself."
He called on ministers to provide stronger support and protection for staff working at bus and railway stations.
"There's no simple solution to antisocial behaviour but without enforcement we risk it simply becoming accepted," he added.
Mr Lamont also urged ministers to recognise that not all incidents involved young people, highlighting the role of wider social problems.
He said some involved "older people with mental health difficulties who have fallen through the gaps in social care rather than young people".
Mr Lamont told MPs: "Our constituents are not asking for much. They want to feel safe in their homes and on their streets and they want to know that when they report something, something will happen."
Borders Buses has confirmed it is working with Scottish Borders Council and Police Scotland to address their concerns.
Last year, the bus company launched a campaign to remind passengers that its drivers and staff are real human beings with feelings, in an attempt to address anti-social behaviour on board.
"The last thing we want to do is remove buses from the Interchange," a spokesperson told us.
"However, the safety of our staff and customers must come first and, if this behaviour continues, we would have to consider withdrawing services from the interchange."
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