Council Executive have approved plans to use developer contributions to enhance bus services for the growing core development area.
Following a competitive tender exercise, Lothian County will deliver additional journeys on their X27 Bathgate to Edinburgh via Calderwood service, subject to approval from the Traffic Commissioner.
Data showed that demand for morning peak time journeys from Calderwood to Edinburgh rose by 70% between June 2022 and June 2023, showing an increase in demand for bus services.
The funding has been provided by developer contributions from Stirling 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 three years, with the aim of becoming commercially viable without subsidy in the future.
Executive councillor for the environment and sustainability Tom Conn said: "I'm delighted to see improvements in the bus network to meet the rising demand from the growing development of Calderwood.
"Whilst the council does not have the resources to fill all the gaps in the commercial bus network, we can make best use of any funding streams, such as developer contributions, to benefit our communities.
"Similar to the soon-to-be launched 72 bus service for Winchburgh, using the money that developers are legally required to give us for bus services allows us to provide or improve services we would not otherwise be able to support.
"I would also 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 the current support only covers the next three years."
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.
