Festive bus contracts awarded for 2025
West Lothian Council has approved 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 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.
At a meeting earlier today (Tuesday 14 October) Council Executive approved a £44,430 investment that, alongside the commercial network, would provide the following services on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and 1 & 2 January:
• Lothian Country X18 Whitburn - Edinburgh via Armadale, Bathgate, Dechmont, Uphall, & Broxburn (operates 120 min frequency on 25 Dec & 1 Jan)
• Lothian Country X27 Bathgate - Edinburgh via Deans North, Knightsridge, Craigshill, Livingston Centre, Dedridge East, Mid Calder, East Calder & Wilkieston. (120 min frequency on 25 Dec & 1 Jan)
• Lothian Country X28 Bathgate - Edinburgh via Deans North, Knightsridge, Craigshill, Dedridge East, East Calder & Kirknewton (120 min frequency on 25 Dec & 1 Jan)
• McGills X38 Linlithgow - Edinburgh via Winchburgh (120 min frequency on 25 Dec & 1 Jan)
• Lothian Country X40 St John's Hospital - Edinburgh Royal Infirmary via Livingston Centre, Mid Calder, East Calder & Calderwood (2 return journeys only on 25/26 Dec & 1 Jan)
• Lothian Country 72 Fauldhouse - Winchburgh via Longridge, Whitburn, Blackburn, Seafield, Eliburn, St John's Hospital, Howden, Livingston Centre, Pumpherston, Uphall, & Broxburn. (120 min frequency on 25 Dec & 1 Jan, 60 min frequency on 26 Dec)Centre, Pumpherston, Uphall, Broxburn & Winchburgh. (120 min frequency on 25 Dec & 1 Jan, 60 min frequency on 26 Dec)
• Lothian Country 74 Fauldhouse - Livingston via Bents, Stoneyburn, Loganlea, Addiewell, West Calder, Polbeth and Dedridge West (120 min Frequency on 25 Dec & 1 Jan)
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: "Although the council does not operate bus services this funding 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 - reduces its offering. The festive services have been designed with a particular emphasis on helping people access health care, visit friends and family and attend their place of work during the festive holidays."
