Stagecoach East Scotland’s open top bus service at St Andrews has stopped running, the Fife Herald reported.
The operator announced its intention to stop operating the tour following a review the previous summer’s operation, which low demand.
Stagecoach will run a tourist route to be found on the company’s Fife Coastliner 95 route, which connects St Andrews with Kingsbarns, Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans, Elie, Upper Largo, Lower Largo and Leven.
The bus will join the existing fleet of branded double-decker vehicles already operating on the route, which currently runs hourly, every day of the week. Open top journeys will be advertised in a new timetable guide, although the bus may be substituted for a standard double-decker bus when required.
Started by Stagecoach in 2011, the St Andrews Open Top Tour has taken tourists around St Andrew’s many attractions with local driver Mike Reid BEM at the helm, providing commentary.
Over recent years, demand has decreased, with less tourists making use of the dedicated tour.
Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “While we are disappointed that the reduced passenger usage means it is no longer viable to operate the St Andrews Open Top Tour, we are pleased to continue the tradition of operating our open top bus in St Andrews and extending it to the many tourist attractions and scenic locations in the East Neuk.
“We hope that this will appeal to both tourists and locals alike and encourage everyone to visit more of the great destinations that Fife offers.”
