Hundreds sign petition after bus changes miss out village

Radical changes to the bus network have provoked fury after a village learned a bus will miss them out entirely.

Now passengers in Monkton who want to travel to Irvine or Troon will have to get two buses and change at Prestwick – and they fear it will double journey times.

A petition urging Stagecoach bosses to reconsider changes to the number 14 service has been signed by hundreds of outraged passengers.

One resident said: “Withdrawing this service will affect how residents of Monkton get to their work in Troon.

“Stagecoach are trying to blame the village when it is them who are trying to fit a journey from Ayr to Irvine in a time that just isn’t practical.

“It takes five minutes for the bus to come through the village so I can’t see how cutting us out is going to benefit Stagecoach.”

She added: “They have said that only 16 people use the service daily, but that is better than no one using it.

“Removing this service could isolate and reduce the opportunities for the residents of Monkton.”

The 14 service will now operate on a half- hourly basis between Ayr, Troon and Barassie with a separate service to be launched between Troon and Irvine.

Changes to the bus network caused an uproar among passengers when they were revealed in June.

But Stagecoach West Scotland managng director Tom Bridge told the Post the firm will listen to feedback before unveiling the final draft of any changes.

A spokesman from the bus company said: “We are fully aware of the concerns from the residents of Monkton.

“We can’t reveal details just yet about the service but all will be revealed in the coming days.”

It is expected a statement will be released later this week.