17 August 2007
Change to Kilmarnock bus service
A Kilmarnock bus route currently subsidised by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is being replaced by a commercial service.
From Monday (20 August), SPT will no longer operate Service 332 Kilmarnock Town Centre – Southcraig. Instead, Stagecoach Western Buses will operate an hourly service (Service 101) along the same route.
SPT spends around £4.7million a year subsidising local bus services in areas where people would otherwise be cut off from public transport. By law, SPT cannot fund services on routes which are already served by a commercial operator. Therefore, as Stagecoach Western is taking over the service between Kilmarnock Town Centre and Southcraigs, SPT must withdraw its subsidised service.
However, SPT and East Ayrshire Council have agreed to continue funding a peak time service between Galston and Kilmarnock which will be operated by Shuttlebuses at a cost of £43,940. SPT is contributing £18,821 to the contract with the remainder of the funding from East Ayrshire Council (£19,780) and a Scottish Executive Rural Transport Grant (£5,339).
The price of the contract also includes use of the bus between 9am and 3pm which SPT will use to enhance its Ring ‘n’ Ride service in the Kilmarnock area.
For details on bus services throughout Strathclyde call Traveline on 0870 608 2608.
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