A woman from West Lothian has been left feeling 'isolated' following a reduction in local buses.
Fiona Anderson, 67, from the Howden area of Livingston, has said it is 'diabolical' as the reduction in services has meant only one bus runs every half hour. The 26 runs from Livingston North Station to Bathgate.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, she added that 'half the time it doesn't turn up' which, Fiona says, she sees people standing at the station for over an hour waiting for the next one. This comes after the First Bus services was taken over by McGill's earlier this year.
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"Because we've only got one bus, we have to go over the road, hope a bus will turn up, get to St John's Hospital and then get another bus into the town", she said.
"And in Howden itself, there's a number of pensioners who rely on these bus services.
'I just feel, killing off three buses - it's diabolic. People pay for services and they're not getting met. And okay, there's been covid, a shortage of drivers - but c'mon! We have lost services 26A, 275 and now X27 with the X27 now serving Craigshill, why they need so many buses astounds me, over four buses, and Howden has one!"
Fiona added: "In a way, it does make me feel isolated but there will be people far worse than me but I do rely on public transport at the moment
"I have major issues with transportation to Glasgow - a lot of my family are there and if the trains aren't running, I'm cut off."
The 67-year-old is also frustrated that there is not a direct bus to either Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport, explaining one instance when she had to take a bus two buses to get to the train station, a train to Edinburgh to catch the 900 bus to Glasgow - all to get to Glasgow Airport - all with luggage she added and no one to help her.
Speaking to other people in her area, Fiona added: "Our opinion as commuters, we've suggested they run smaller coaches at certain points of the day to save money, other towns manage this way."
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “The vast majority of bus services in West Lothian are commercial, and we have no influence or authority over their operation.
“We are aware of frustration among some local residents regarding changes to the bus network and have raised concerns with bus operators. We also appreciate the significant challenges faced by bus operators in the aftermath of the pandemic and ongoing national driver shortage, to deliver a reliable bus network that meets passenger requirements within their existing resources.
“We would encourage anyone with concerns to take them up with the bus operators direct. Residents can also contact Bus Users Scotland (BUS) with any concerns or complaints about service and they can also share information with the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, who has authority over all bus service operations in Scotland."
McGill's has been contacted for comment.
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