More cash for bus services

Extra funding for public transport

An extra £1/4 million is being invested to boost public transport in West Lothian.

West Lothian Council’s Executive Committee voted to help those affected by changes to local bus services with the remaining budget of £180,000 for council subsidised bus services and an additional £70,000 balance from the 2015/16 General Fund Revenue Budget. The £250,000 will be used to extend the operating hours for the town bus services numbers 1 Linlithgow, 5 Bathgate and 6 Armadale and Whitburn by three additional hours, while an additional morning and evening direct 36 service between Stoneyburn and Bathgate, Monday to Saturday. The route of the 31 service will also be changed to include Dechmont and Ladywell in Livingston, while a new taxibus service for Newton to South Queensferry will be introduced.

West Lothian Council’s Public Transport Strategy was approved in June 2015 and aims to maintain the public transport network for local people, while creating the savings necessary to ensure that the service is sustainable and affordable. Around 80 per cent of local bus services in West Lothian operate on a commercial basis and these services are not affected. The remaining 20 per cent of the local bus network is provided under contract to the council and requires subsidy.

Executive councillor for development and transport Cathy Muldoon commented: “We are pleased to announce £250,000 extra funding to mitigate the impact of bus service changes in West Lothian.

“We have listened to the feedback from our communities and acted to improve the services for local residents. The funding we receive from the Scottish Government is not enough to meet the rising costs and demands for council services, so we must find ways to make savings while still delivering vital services for local residents.

“The transition to the new timetables and new services is now complete with all our resources allocated. We would like to thank everyone who uses council supported bus services for heeding the advice and checking their travel arrangements before travelling.”