Campaign for DIY service in Bo’ness

“WE feel isolated and we’re a town of nearly 15,000. Imagine what it’s like in rural Scotland,” says community activist Robert Jeffrey, 69.

The toll of wholesale cuts to bus services across the country has been keenly felt in the town of Bo’ness near Falkirk.

The only direct service to Edinburgh had its council subsidy withdrawn and was axed before later being reinstated – with just one trip to and from the Capital each day. “It’s been a nightmare,” he said. “People now have to drive, or get a bus to Linlithgow and get another bus or train – and this has really pushed up the costs.

“One of my neighbours got so fed up he learned to drive and bought a car.

“My wife has said to me we should sell up and move to somewhere with a better bus service. But it shouldn’t have to come to that.

“We are close to big cities but we are being left behind when it comes to public transport.”

Mr Jeffrey, a retired instrument technician for BP, is now leading a community initiative to see if they can start their own service.

The move would involve hiring a 16-seater minibus service, which would cost around £800 a week to run, and would go to Falkirk, Edinburgh Airport and the city’s Gyle business park.

But the tight finances of the “DIY” approach most likely means holders of free bus passes using the community service would be asked to make a “contribution” to the cost of the journey.