Bus projects on hold

In yet another blow to West Lothian residents, six projects that would have improved local bus travel have been put on hold.

The West Lothian Bus Alliance has been working on projects to improve bus journey times and provide greater reliability for users in six areas: Alderstone Road and Almondvale Avenue in Livingston; Bathgate Town Centre; Armadale Cross; Whitburn Cross; and Broxburn and Uphall.

Sadly, these projects have now been put on hold because Transport Scotland has axed the Bus Partnership Fund for 2024/5.

It makes a difficult situation even worse, according to Lib Dem Councillor Sally Pattle. 

"At a time when we need better public transport and reliable routes, this is the worst possible news,” she said. “Transport Scotland must reverse this decision and end uncertainty for thousands of passengers across the region. We should be doing everything we can to encourage people to use all forms of public transport, and in particular buses. This decision by Transport Scotland effectively takes away any power we as a council have to enable that.”