Festive buses

Each year the council invests funding to ensure residents have some 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 aims to provide a largely two hourly service between 7am and 7pm on Christmas day and New year's day, with a more frequent service being provided on boxing day and 2 January to ensure as wide a coverage as possible.

Services to St John's Hospital and Livingston Centre are an important part of the service, with access to health care and essential work travel being the main focus.

Next week the Council Executive is being asked to approve a £37,350 investment that, alongside the commercial network, would provide the following services on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and 1 & 2 January:

• X18 Whitburn - Edinburgh via Armadale, Bathgate, Dechmont, Uphall, & Broxburn
• X27 Bathgate - Edinburgh via Deans North, Knightsridge, Craigshill, 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 & Kirkliston
• 72 Fauldhouse - Kirkliston via Longridge, Whitburn, Blackburn, Seafield, Eliburn, St John's Hospital, Howden, Livingston Centre, Pumpherston, Uphall, Broxburn & Winchburgh.
• 74 Fauldhouse - Livingston via Bents, Stoneyburn, Loganlea, Addiewell, West Calder, Polbeth and Dedridge West

X40 St John's Hospital - Edinburgh Royal Infirmary via Livingston Centre, Mid Calder, East Calder & Calderwood will operate a special service of 2 return journeys on Christmas Day, Boxing day and New Year's day to provide hospital visiting opportunities a Sunday commercial service operating on 2 January.

In addition to the above contracted services, commercial bus services will operate a limited timetable over the festive period, in addition to the subsidised services above.

Executive councillor for the Environment and Sustainability Tom Conn said: "West Lothian Council doesn't operate bus services but the Festive Bus Services aim 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."