Stirling Council is launching a two-year pilot of two new bus services to improve connections between rural communities in the western part of the council area.
The new in-house services will be called the C61 and the C62 and will start operating on Monday 30 March.
They will build on the current C60 pilot (that runs between Callander and Killin) and will operate on the following routes:
C61: Callander -Thornhill – Port of Menteith – Aberfoyle (with bookable/on demand journeys between Aberfoyle and Kinlochard).
C62: Croftamie – Drymen – Balfron Station – Balfron – Fintry – Kippen.
Both services will use all recognised bus stops along these routes and will link to existing public transport provision following feedback from recent public consultations in this area. However, for Thornhill the bus will only stop outside JCC/ Burnside works. It is hoped that more suitable stops will be available in the future.
Later journeys have been added to help accommodate young people attending after-school clubs and other activities.
The new services will replace existing demand responsive transport (DRT) services between these communities. Pending the success of the pilot, the new service will ultimately replace the current DRT service.
Passengers on both services can pay using debit or credit cards (not Amex). All National Entitlement Cards (NEC) will be accepted. Drivers will be unable to accept cash for fares.
The new services will be funded via existing budget allocations for DRT provision.
Read more: https://www.stirling.gov.uk/news/stirling-council-announces-pilot-of-two-new-rural-bus-services/