Lothian Country steps in in West Lothian

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Lothian Country has responded to the withdrawal of routes operated by Eastern Scottish with new and extended routes in the area. The company also recently started new service X40, which runs daily between St John’s Hospital and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh via Livingston. It replaces the previous service 40 which was operated by E&M Horsburgh. RICHARD WALTER

Following the news of McGill’s-owned Eastern Scottish’s decision to withdraw services from West Lothian, Lothian Country has announced a series of service improvements from 3 December to maintain services in the affected areas. The operator says it will be closely monitoring passenger numbers on the routes, which are being operated on a commercial basis, to ensure that there is sufficient demand to justify their continued operation.

“Driver recruitment and retention remains a limiting factor in the ability to respond to the evolving situation and to further developing our network in West Lothian,” the company added.

As part of the changes, existing service 72 will be extended to operate hourly between Kirkliston, Broxburn, Livingston Centre and Fauldhouse between 0700 and 2100hrs daily, whilst two new routes, numbered 73 and 74, will operate Mondays to Saturdays between 0700 and 2000hrs from Livingston to Blackburn and Fauldhouse respectively. The latter will also run on Sundays.