Welcome for new buses
I am writing to welcome the addition of the Lothian Country bus services to West Lothian, for the 275, 280 and 287; and the upcoming X18 service and N28 night service.
It is imperative that there are good bus connections for the villages of West Lothian, not just the towns, so to have the addition of services that will serve communities such as Dechmont in my ward, and numerous other smaller communities is welcome.
Much as this is news has been wanted, it comes at a time when I get regular visits at my surgeries about the reliability of the local FirstBus services and concerns over continued funding from West Lothian Council about the continued funding of subsidised services. Many communities still have a minimal service, encouraging people to use cars rather than public transport to access banks, post offices, local high streets and health services.
There are also regular complaints that fewer services now go into the St John’s Hospital campus, to enable those less mobile to access hospital facilities. I trust that the addition of this new competition will drive high standards across the bus network, and that West Lothian Council will very carefully plan any bus funding review in their upcoming budget process to ensure the needs of small communities are met, enabling locals to access vital services easily.
Councillor Chris Horne, Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh ward, Conservative Group, West Lothian Council.