Proposal to alter morning bus service scrapped
Controversial proposals to alter a vital morning bus service in Balfron have been changed following objections by commuters.
First Bus have confirmed to the Observer that proposals to replace the 7.40am bus to Stirling, with a 7.04am service, were scrapped after consultation with villagers.
Instead, a revised 7.40am service from Buchanan Street in Balfron to the city will be in place during the week, beginning on Monday.
Changes to times in the village and surrounding areas will come into effect as part of a new timetable next week.
The X10 service which goes from Stirling to Glasgow via, Kippen, Balfron and Strathblane, will also run at 6.48am, 7.42am, 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm, 4pm, 5.50pm, 7.05pm, 8.45pm and 11pm.
Some of the above services will connect or stop at Balfron. GlasgowBalfron-Stirling bus times have also changed, with the inclusion of the 7.40am service, and will depart at different times along the route.
As for the X10A, which runs from Stirling to Glasgow via Aberfoyle and Balfron will run at 8.35am, 10.35am, 12.35pm, 2.45pm, 4.35pm and 5.35pm.
Some of the services may be delayed due to roadworks which are to take place at Balfron and Killearn starting on Monday, as well as in Gargunnock.
The Observer reported in August that bus users, students, commuters and the elderly criticised proposals to scrap the existing 7.40am service, which allowed commuters to reach Stirling at 8.25am.
Under proposed changes, the renamed X10 service was set to leave Balfron at 7.04am, meaning commuters would arrive in the city at 7.48am - with another service via Aberfoyle at 8.33am meaning commuters would arrive in Stirling at 9.46am.
The timetable was changed to accommodate commuters following consultations with the community by First Bus. The new timetable will see weekday commuters using the 7.42am service reaching Stirling at 8.25, roughly the same time as they had on the previous 10A service.
John Scott, Network Manager for First Midland, said: “We listened to views from passengers and stakeholders in the local area, who gave feedback.
“This is invaluable to us and we have now responded to these views and made changes to our original proposals. This means for Balfron in particular, we have added in a Monday to Friday journey from Balfron to Stirling via Kippen at 7.40am in the new timetable.
“As a result, we have now settled on a finalised new network structure which will come into effect from October 21. We are aware that these revisions may mean changes to customers journeys, but we are confident that they will improve our local bus network to the benefit of our passengers.”
Kippen resident Valerie Brand, who was amongst those objecting,said: “These changes were sprung on residents who were given very little time to object. With the help of social media they were able to put forward some objections particularly in relation to the early morning buses which had been removed but now thankfully have been reinstated.”