Talks on bus service

West Lothian Council has agreed to look at plans to reinstate the town cent re bus service serving Bathgate following petitions raised by passengers.

A mental health charity also petitioned the council’s Development and Transport Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel ( PDSP) pleading for the restoration for the benefit of its service users.

The 5A/ 5B service had been cut to mid afternoon through the week and noon on a Saturday after one-off funding ran out in September last year. A petition by residents of Belvedere and Easton areas petitioned the council in December asking for its restoration. Committee chair, Councillor Cathy Muldoon invited petitioners to speak to the PDSP. One,

Fay Curtis, told the meeting: “All we are asking for is a decent bus service.” They were joined at the PDSP by Iain Pringle of the Mental Health Advocacy Project who said the users of services at Bathgate House had been impacted by the cancellation of the late afternoon/early evening services. Many had been put off attending regular sessions at Bathgate House because they had mobility problems and were vulnerable walking home. Nicola Gill, interim public transport manager, told the meeting that her team was looking at options which could restore late afternoon services. Despite budget restrictions a plan to extend the service by making it two hourly instead of the current hour is being considered. Consultations will take place with passenger groups and bus users.