Fife Council steps in to save a number of bus services

Fife Council has saved a number of bus services that were set to be cut.

The local authority says while the routes are "uneconomical commercial", they are "socially essential".

It comes after Stagecoach announced changes to their commercial network in late August.

While some of the changes were minor changes to timetables, some involved withdrawing services completely. 

The following services were affected:

- Service 14: Dunnikier Estate – Kirkcaldy Bus Station (Monday - Saturday daytime journeys withdrawn)

- Service 36: Glenrothes – Falkland – Newburgh - Perth (no Sunday journeys)

- Service 77: Gauldry – Wormit – Newport on Tay – Dundee (service withdrawn no service between Dundee and Gauldry, reduced service elsewhere. Monday to Sunday)

- Service 81: Parkneuk – Dunfermline - Glenrothes (service withdrawn, Parkneuk without daytime service, Monday to Saturday)

- Service 33: Kirkcaldy – Cardenden – Cowdenbeath – Halbeath P&R – QMH – Dunfermline (early morning, evening and Saturday and Sunday journeys withdrawn or curtailed at Cowdenbeath)

After discussions with the Perth-based bus firm, some minor timetabling changes were reversed.

Separate discussions have also been taking place between the council and Moffat & Williamson.

The Newport-on-Tay based bus business has confirmed that they will register a bus service commercially to offset the removal of the Stagecoach Service 77, which will make sure a service remains between Gauldry to Dundee.

Meanwhile, the council is now stepping in to make sure the remaining socially necessary withdrawn services (service 14, 33, 36 & 81) continue to operate. 

Replacement services are set to start next Monday (7 November 2022).

David Ross, the leader of Fife Council, said: "These are services that the council has agreed to subsidise to cover gaps that need to be filled in the commercial system and routes that have historically been supported. 

"The removal of these services would have a significant impact on the local communities, particularly those who rely on public transport.

"In turn, the council stepped in and tendered for alternative, replacement services.   

"We are committed to creating a fairer Fife and supporting those hardest hit by the cost of living crisis.

"The services maintained will reassure people in our communities that where there is a social need, the council will take whatever steps it can to support the provision of essential transport, including bus services.

"By stepping in the main impacts of the changes proposed by commercial service have hopefully been avoided."

Timetable information with the new bus times will be updated at the bus stops affected from Monday 7^th November, as well as being available on Traveline Scotland's website.

We've asked both Moffat and Williamson and Stagecoach for comment.