West Lothian residents have been left 'isolated' after McGill's Scotland East have announced a new timetable.
The bus operator has come under fire after it took over First Bus in West Lothian and confirmed a number of cuts to services which critics say will isolate villages.
From May 8, buses will no longer serve Elburn and Deans South, Harthill, Blackridge, Greenrigg, and Shotts. On top of that, where services will still run, there will no longer be buses running on Sunday.
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McGill's has also warned that early morning and late evening buses may be 'cancelled on some services'. You can see the timetable changes on their website.
Locals were quick to respond to the announcement. Diane Scotland from Deans South told Edinburgh Live that the cuts will make people 'feel like prisoners'.
She said: "People who rely on buses won't be able to go anywhere on Sundays. What about people who work? Or the elderly wanting to get about? And from May, no buses to Elburn and Deans South in Livingston - we're going to be like prisoners!
"The good local people of West Lothian are being forgotten about."
Diane added that it's come at the worst time as many families are struggling financially and this will force people to spend money they don't have on taxis or risk their jobs.
Replying to the bus operator's announcement on Twitter, one resident echoed: "What about the people that work a Sunday?"
Another added: "No thoughts given to people who don’t work 9-5 Monday to Friday."
There will be a new 23 bus service replacing the 600. This will run up to every 30 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays. The route will link Broxburn to Whitburn via Uphall, Pumpherston, Craigshill, Livingston, St John's Hospital, Seafield and Blackburn.
For those wanting to head to Edinburgh, there will be a revised X24 Livingston (St John's Hospital) to Edinburgh and will no longer go through Pumpherston.
The last journey from Livingston to Edinburgh will leave at 7.25pm and the last journey from Edinburgh to Livingston will leave at 7.55pm; and the last journey from Edinburgh to Uphall will leave at 8.55pm
On Thursday afternoon, West Lothian Council pledged to find a solution, particularly to help people living in the Greenrigg and Blackridge areas where bus services will be cut.
It comes as residents in West Lothian have been dealing with multiple services being cancelled frequently.
On Saturday, April 22, amongst a number of cancellations, the number 21 service Whitburn-Livingston via Armadale and Blackburn, a bus was cancelled each hour in both directions. You can see the cancellations for the day here.
McGill's said the short notice cancellations are due to the driver shortage. On its website the company adds: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Please be assured all of our staff are working hard to operate our services to the fullest and appreciate your understanding during this period."
McGills have been contacted for comment.
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