Council do U-turn on bus service

A bus route which was cut to a reduced service in Linlithgow has had more hours added to it following a U-turn by West Lothian Council.
Picture: Michael GillenPicture: Michael Gillen
Picture: Michael Gillen

The council cut the L1 town service back in April to run from 9.30am to 3pm when it was forced to trim the budget by £1.5 million, a move which caused much concern and anger among passengers and residents, with some campaigning for the reinstatement of services.

Other services in the district were also affected, but the council has now found £250,000 to fund extended services to ensure communities are not left stranded or cut off.

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The council’s Executive Committee this week voted to direct £180,000 for council subsidised bus services as well as an additional £70,000 balance from the 2015/16 General Fund Revenue Budget.

It means the L1 will have three more hours, times of which are still to be confirmed, of operating.

Executive councillor for development and transport Cathy Muldoon said: “We have listened to the feedback from our communities and acted to improve the services for local residents.”

Linlithgow Councillor Tom Kerr said: “I have been working to try to alleviate the decision taken in the Budget for these services and I am hopeful this will help not only for Linlithgow, but for the other towns in West Lothian.”