A new bus service linking Stirling's Eastern Villages has been approved to improve local transport networks. The council-run pilot, connecting Fallin, Cowie, Throsk, and Plean with the city, was given the green light at a meeting on Thursday as part of an expansion of bus support locally.
Successful Pilots Pave the Way
The introduction of the new service, run by Stirling Council, follows successful pilots of the C61 and C62 buses connecting several rural villages across Stirlingshire, which have proved popular with passengers.
Two-Year Pilot and Funding
Councillors approved the case for a bus service to connect Fallin, Cowie, Throsk, and Plean as part of a two-year pilot. The service is expected to begin operation in August with a week-long timetable. It will be continually reviewed through passenger feedback, and an allocated budget of £100,000 has been approved to operate the new bus service.
Improved Frequency and Connections
The new timetable aims to provide an increased frequency of buses from Fallin and Throsk into the city centre, as well as a Sunday service. It will also allow for increased travel connections to Forth Valley Royal Hospital and between the villages themselves.
Council's Commitment to Sustainable Transport
The council's Environment, Transport and Net Zero Convener, Cllr Alasdair Tollemache, said: “I'm delighted that we will be able to offer improved public transport options for residents in Stirling's Eastern Villages with this newly created, council-owned bus service.
“This builds on our previous investments in public transport in Stirling through the C60 bus service and recently launched C61 and C62 to provide in-house bus services to communities where a need for reliable transport is keenly felt.
“The new bus service also helps us to reduce the number of individual journeys made by car coming in and out of these areas which will contribute to reducing carbon emissions from transport.
“I'm thoroughly looking forward to seeing the new bus service on the road and serving people in Fallin, Throsk, Cowie and Plean in the coming weeks.”
