West Lothian bus services now under scrutiny

Nov 19 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

COUNCIL chiefs are set to meet bus company bosses to discuss services in the county.

West Lothian Council are looking for clarification from FirstGroup about proposals to change peak hour commuter bus services in West Lothian.

FirstGroup recently made an application to the Office of Fair Trading to pull out of commitments to maintain some peak hour commuter bus services in the West Lothian area

Councillor Peter Johnston, leader of West Lothian Council and executive councillor for development and transport, Martyn Day, are meeting managers from First to explore their proposals and seek further information about the company’s proposals for service developments in the area.

Councillor Johnston said: “We are aware of the concern of the management of First over the financial performance of the services in question.

“However, we want to work together with all bus companies to improve services in West Lothian and wish to further explore the scope for this.

“We also want to ensure that passengers using any withdrawn service have reasonable alternative services available to them and that residents of West Lothian are provided with appropriate public transport services.”