West Lothian Council's Executive has approved plans to subsidise a new Lothian Country service from October 2023 following a competitive tendering process.
The new service 72 will provide hourly links from 6am until 10pm, seven days per week, operating between Kirkliston and Livingston via Winchburgh, Broxburn, Uphall.
The funding for the service has been provided by developer contributions from Winchburgh Developments, as part of the Public Transport Strategy for the growing community. This -pump-prime funding will allow the service to be established for the first two years, with the aim of becoming commercially viable without subsidy in the future.
It is proposed that the new route will use the town centre link road when it is completed, to help the majority of Winchburgh residents have closer access to bus services.
Executive councillor for the environment and sustainability Tom Conn said: "I'm sure the Winchburgh community will join me in warmly welcoming the return of a bus service linking them with the wider West Lothian once more.
"The new service will be a real boost to the local community, operating seven days per week, and providing links to neighbouring Kirkliston as well as Broxburn, Uphall and Livingston.
"I would encourage local residents to make good use of the service when it launches later this year to make sure it can become commercially viable in the future, as this developer funding is intended to support the establishment of the service, ensuring sustainable and efficient transport links going forward."
Council officers will now go through the formal process registering the route with the Traffic Commissioner now contracts have been agreed with Lothian Country. Currently, the X38 Stirling to Edinburgh is the only bus service that serves Winchburgh, after the 600 service was withdrawn in May.
Keith Finlay, Head of Commercial, Lothian Country said: "We are delighted to be working with West Lothian Council to introduce Service 72 providing vital new transport links for the local community, including the new development within Winchburgh.
"We look forward to growing our network in October and hope that customers will embrace these new links to help ensure their future viability."
The council has maintained funding for public transport to support public transport, despite facing a £39 million budget gap over the next five years. We aim to make sure that 90% of local residents have access to an hourly or better service daytime service Monday to Saturday.
Currently around 80% of the bus network in West Lothian is commercial, with 20% of services subsidised by the council. The council is legally not allowed to take action that would limit competition in the internal market.
