Festive buses given green light
West Lothian Council has awarded a number of contracts to support the local bus network during the festive period.
Each year the council invests funding to ensure residents have bus services over the festive period, which has a particular benefit to those working.
The council has historically provided an additional level of local bus provision on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, 1 January and 2 January.
Around 80% of the bus network is provided by commercial companies who, generally, do not operate on these dates. The subsidised bus network is also reduced leaving gaps in the network.
The festive service will provide a two hour service between 7am and 7pm with services designed as a hybrid approach using a basis of the commercial market amending and joining services to ensure as wide a coverage as possible.
Services to St John's Hospital are an important part of the service, with access to health care and essential work travel being the main focus.
The council's £34,520 invest will provide the following services on Christmas Day and 1 January:
- 275 Broxburn via Wester Inch - Blackburn, Seafield, Livingston Village, Livingston Centre, Fastlink, Pumpherston & Uphall
- X27 Whitburn- Edinburgh via Blackburn, Seafield, Eliburn - Livingston Centre, Dedridge East, Mid Calder, East Calder & Wilkieston
- X28 Bathgate - Edinburgh via Deans North, Knightsridge, Craigshill, Dedridge East, East Calder & Kirknewton
- X38 Linlithgow - Edinburgh via Winchburgh
- 26 Fauldhouse - Deans via Whitburn, Bathgate, Bents, Stoneyburn, Loganlea, West Calder, Polbeth, Livingston Centre, Howden, Ladywell & Knightsridge
- X25 Blackridge - Livingston via Armadale, Bathville, Bathgate, Deans North, Ladywell East & Alderstone Road
Commercial local bus operators will operate reduced services on Boxing Day and 2 January.
Executive councillor for development and transport, Cathy Muldoon said: "It is important that people can access important services, such as Health care, visit friends and family and attend their work and the Festive Bus Services aims to provide that support to local people during a time when the bus service winds down.
"I'm very pleased that West Lothian Council is able to support these services and the people that rely upon them."
