Residents in Kirknewton have been left outraged after First Bus announced plans for a new timetable, which would see services to the town scrapped. The bus firm revealed the changes to their West Lothian network this week, many of which are set to come into effect later this year. These include faster links into Edinburgh's city centre and a service to
Edinburgh Airport, which will now travel via Winchburgh and Kirkliston. However, First have come under fire after it emerged that their buses will no longer serve Kirknewton from 27 January.
There was initial confusion over the plans, with residents taking to social media unsure over how their services would be impacted. However, First have confirmed that their Kirknewton services will cease. The company have defended their decision, insisting that services have to attract enough passengers to cover operating costs.
Graeme Macfarlan, Commercial Director for First West Lothian told
Edinburgh Live: "We can confirm that as part of a wider package of service changes coming into effect on 27 January, we will no longer serve Kirknewton. "As a commercial business, we have to make sure that the services that we operate attract enough customers to cover their operating costs, while meeting the ever-changing needs of our passengers. “The majority of the route of service 23 will continue to run as service X23, maintaining links from Livingston, Mid Calder, East Calder and Wilkieston with Edinburgh.
“In addition, service X23 will now serve Hermiston Park+Ride and offer passengers unlimited travel between the site and Edinburgh City Centre for only £7 per week – a real saving in comparison to other operators who offer the same ticket for more than double the price.”
Many residents been left angered over the change,
which some say will make it more expensive to commute.
One resident wrote on facebook: "So instead of changing the times they cut Kirknewton out, making it more expensive now for people to get to Edinburgh."
