Festive buses given green light
West Lothian Council has awarded a number of contracts to support the local commercial 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 Executive has approved a £46,700 investment that will provide the following services on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and 1 & 2 January:
- X22 Shotts - Edinburgh via Whitburn, Blackburn, Seafield, Livingston Village, Livingston Centre, Dedridge East, Mid Calder, East Calder & Wilkieston
- X25 Blackridge - Edinburgh via Armadale, Bathville, Bathgate, Deans North, Livingston Centre, Pumpherston, Uphall & Broxburn.
- 26 Fauldhouse - Livingston via Whitburn, Bathgate, Bents, Stoneyburn, Loganlea, West Calder & Polbeth.
- 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
However following passenger feedback, a bus service will now include Greenrigg and Bridgend.
Nicola Gill, West Lothian Council's Passenger Transport Manager said: "The Festive Bus Services aims to provide support to local people during a time when the main commercial bus service - which accounts for 80% of buses in West Lothian - winds down. Our festive services has a particular emphasis on ensuring people can access health care, visit friends and family and attend their place of work."
Have a complaint about buses not running?
Contact - Bus Users Scotland. Bus users can follow up complaints with bus operators and they can also share information with the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, who has authority over all bus service operations in Scotland. They can be contacted on: Telephone: 0300 111 0001
E-mail: enquiries@bususers.org
