Three vital Edinburgh bus services at risk of being axed due to driver shortages will be extended beyond this month, it is understood, as the council assures rural communities they "will not be cut-off".
The 20, Ratho to Chesser; 63, Queensferry to Balerno and 68, Turnhouse to Gyle are expected to continue running on a reduced timetable.
It follows reports last week that First Bus, which operates the council-subsidised services, was planning not to renew the contract which ensures people living in the west of the city have public transport links with the rest of the capital.
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First took over the routes in 2020 after Lothian Buses pulled out due to the pandemic and Edinburgh City Council put the contract out to tender.
Councillors were told the operator was "not minded" to extend the deal for another year due to a shortage of bus drivers - which would have seen the 'lifeline' services stop running from August 30. However, it is now understood the firm will continue "at least some level of service" beyond the end of the month following a meeting with council officials on Friday (July 29).
A briefing note from transport officers this week said details are yet to be agreed, adding a new timetable will be submitted for the council to review.
Whilst reflecting a "reduced level of service", buses will still run to ensure the affected communities "will not be cut-off", it added.
It said: "First Bus are working extremely hard on driver recruitment and are hopeful that the current situation will improve over the coming weeks/months.
"This recruitment process may allow greater level of service to resume and perhaps contract extensions to be agreed, however, alternative provision and procurement processes will continue to be investigated in the meantime."
Kevin Lang, Lib Dem group leader and councillor for Almond where the impacted services run through, said news of the planned cuts to public transport in the area sparked "huge concern".
A local petition in support of retaining buses along the rural routes gathered over 1,000 signatures within 24 hours of being launched.
Cllr Lang said: "It shows just how important these bus routes are for local people to access work, shopping centres and local health services.
"The news that First may now continue these routes is obviously great news. This may be on a reduced frequency but it is clearly better than having no service at all. Hopefully services can return to normal as First recruit more drivers.
"More widely though, these events show why the council's new public transport plan, due out later this year, must properly take account of the special needs of rural communities in the west of Edinburgh".
First Scotland East offered no update on the situation and said talks with the council are ongoing.
Edinburgh City Council's transport convener Cllr Scott Arthur said: “It’s great to hear that First Bus have agreed to provide some level of service for these affected routes after 30 August.
"There was a real concern that ending these lifeline services on that date would not allow the Council sufficient time to secure alternative provision.
“I understand that this will be a reduced level of service so First Bus can operate with their limited driver resource but will at least it will ensure that the communities served by these bus services will not be cut-off.
"Exact details have yet to be finalised, however, First Bus are working really hard alongside the Council to find a solution. I will ensure that the updates are made public as soon as they are agreed.
"This will give us breathing space to put alternative provision in place, and officers are now investigating long-term solutions as a matter of urgency.
"It is clear that driver shortages and other issues are affecting the entire bus operator industry, but efforts to find a replacement will continue over the coming months, and the community will be kept informed.
"I would like to thank council staff for all they have done to solve this problem.”
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