Following a rigorous procurement process, 45 long-term contracts – each lasting up to seven years – have been awarded to local operators to deliver the subsidised bus network across the region.
The council will also deliver several bus routes in its role as the operator of last resort, where there has been no affordable private operator interest.
The vast majority of services will continue to operate, ensuring continuity for communities across the region.
SWestrans and the council have been working hard to ensure that as many of the region’s 12 commercially operated bus routes as possible are in place by 7 August, although neither SWestrans nor the council is responsible for the procurement of services on these routes.
Since last week, the following refinements have been made by commercial operators to bus services in the region:
- The D10 (Lochside and Lincluden to Dumfries town centre) timetable has now been published and is available at https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/timetables. There will be a reduction in daytime services but late and early buses will be retained.
- The 501 Dumfries to Kirkcudbright and Castle Douglas service will be operated by McCalls Coaches. The timetable is being finalised by the operator. It will be posted on the council’s timetables webpage and social media channels once confirmed.
- The 246 Dumfries-to-Cumnock bus service, also operated by McCalls Coaches, is yet to be confirmed. As soon as the new timetable for this route is finalised, it will be added to the council’s timetables webpage and posted on its social media channels.
- The 74 Dumfries to Glasgow via Moffat service is being withdrawn, as previously advised. However, Stagecoach West Scotland is introducing additional X74 services to increase services on this route.
- In addition, timetable adjustments have been made to the X74 and 101 services to ensure students can get to Barony College on weekday mornings.
As previously confirmed:
- All home-to-school transport bus services – for which the council is responsible – will operate from the start of the new school term in August (Thursday 21 August).
- Two services have been discontinued to ensure the delivery of an affordable and sustainable bus network. Due to very low passenger volumes, the 512 Castle Douglas town and the 410/411/412 Stranraer to Glenluce, Knock and Ervie service will be withdrawn from 7 August.
All confirmed timetables are now available for passengers to view online. Passengers are strongly encouraged to check the details of their specific route before travelling on or after 7 August. Timetables can be found at https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/timetables.
For those without internet access, information will shortly be available via Traveline Scotland on 0141 465 1878. In the meantime, the council’s contact centre can help on 030 33 33 3000. Paper copies of timetables will be available to view at local libraries.
Cllr John Campbell, Chair of SWestrans, said:
“These changes aim to give people confidence in planning their journeys – whether that’s for work, appointments, or seeing friends and family – and with just over a week to go I’d encourage everyone to check the updated timetables online before travelling.
“We know there’s been a lot of uncertainty around local bus services, but with the refinements introduced over the past week we hope this new network provides reassurance that key routes are being maintained.
“Last, with more than 1000 bus stops across the region, printed timetables will not be in place everywhere by the start date, but we’re working to get them installed as quickly as possible.”
Cllr Stephen Thompson, Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, said:
“Accessible, reliable public transport is vital for our communities, helping people get to work, school, healthcare and other essential services. With almost all the timetables now in place, the revised bus network will be ready for passengers on 7 August.
“Most services are protected; the new network will look very similar to the old one. Almost all commercial routes previously run by Stagecoach West Scotland have been picked up by the region’s other commercial operators, or will be operated by the council’s in-house provider, DGC Buses.
“Some changes have been made to subsidised routes to get best value for the public purse. In a small number of cases, services with consistently low passenger numbers have been withdrawn or redesigned.
“The new network is built on longer-term contracts. This provides greater certainty for both passengers and operators, encouraging future investment in vehicles and service quality.
“Looking ahead, although ensuring continuity has been the immediate priority, the new network structure is designed to be more adaptive. As operators gather data and learn more about passenger demand on their new routes, there may be future opportunities to enhance services and increase frequencies where needed.”