Stirling Council's new C17 bus service for the Eastern Villages launched a two-year pilot on Monday, improving public transport connections for local communities. The service will run seven days a week, serving Fallin, Throsk, Cowie and Plean.
Service details and investment
The C17 is another significant investment by the council in its in-house public transport provision, with five services now in operation. It will enhance the frequency of services to and from Stirling city centre, complementing existing services, and provide improved connections to NHS Forth Valley Royal Hospital, connecting with the 38 service in Plean.
An allocated budget of £100,000 has been approved to deliver the pilot, which will be continually reviewed through passenger feedback. The timetable for the C17 can be found by visiting www.stirling.gov.uk/connectingcommunities.
Official welcomes
Environment, Transport and Net Zero Convener, Cllr Alasdair Tollemache, hailed the new service. He said: “The introduction of the new C17 service will provide a reliable, sustainable and affordable public transport option for residents in the Eastern Villages.
“It will enhance connections between communities and make it easier for local people to access essential services, from healthcare to education, as well as creating more opportunities for leisure and social activities.
“Better public transport links have been a priority for residents in this part of Stirling and we have listened to this feedback.
“It’s fantastic news that the service will launch on Monday.
“We will continue to engage with communities throughout the pilot to ensure its meeting local needs.”
Community reaction
The introduction of the new service has been welcomed by local communities on the route. Jimmy Morton, Chair of Throsk Community Council, said: “Throsk Community Council warmly welcomes the launch of the C17 service, which represents a significant improvement to public transport for Throsk and the wider Eastern Villages.
“A reliable seven-day service will make it easier for residents to access employment, education, healthcare and other essential services, while providing improved connections with Stirling and neighbouring communities.
“For Throsk, better public transport is particularly important in supporting residents who rely on bus services for everyday journeys and helping to strengthen connections across the wider community.
“We look forward to working with Stirling Council, the service operator and local residents throughout the pilot period to ensure the C17 meets the needs of our communities and delivers lasting benefits for Throsk and the wider Eastern Villages.”
Naomi Ross, Secretary of Fallin Community Voice, said: “Fallin Community Voice warmly welcomes the introduction of the new C17 service and is very pleased to see the decline in public transport provision for our community being reversed.
“For Fallin, reliable public transport is not simply a convenience - it is essential.
“Car ownership in the village is lower on average than across Stirling as a whole, and this is by necessity, not choice.
“We are also happy to see Stirling Council investing in public transport across the region and building up its in-house bus provision.
“This is exactly the kind of investment in public services that communities need to more of: services being delivered by publicly owned organisations for the public good.
Scott Richards, Chair of Plean Community Council, added: “Plean Community Council warmly welcomes the launch of the C17 service, which is a significant improvement to public transport for Plean and the wider Eastern Villages. A reliable seven-day service will help residents access employment, education, healthcare and other essential services, while providing better connections with Stirling and neighbouring communities.”
Passenger growth
New figures show that monthly passenger journeys on council operated bus services increased by 7.4 per cent to 44,505 compared to same period last year (May 18 to June 14) as the council continues to invest in its public transport provision.
Cllr Tollemache added: “When the C17 hits the road on Monday, it will take us to five in-house bus services across the council area, with four two-year pilots underway and one that has been continued beyond the initial pilot due to its success - the C60 service between Callander and Killin.
“This major investment shows our commitment to improving sustainable public transport across Stirling.”
Printed copies of the timetables for the C17 will also be available in local libraries and other key community locations. For more information on the C17 as well as Stirling Council’s other in-house bus services, visit www.stirling.gov.uk/connectingcommunities.
