Campaigners who fought to save a bus route from the axe are preparing to herald the start of the new service.
The 101/102 Dumfries to Edinburgh route was due to be scrapped in August last year by Stagecoach West Scotland but was given a stay of execution until this month.
Campaign group, Stand Up For Our Buses, fought the decision before Lockerbie-based Houston’s Coaches was awarded the route in January which they will take over on Saturday, April 1.
Ian Reid from West Linton said: “It’s been a long battle but this is testimony to local people, communities, councils, councillors, MSPs, MPs and the press as well coming together and highlighting how much of a lifeline service rural buses are in general.
“In our part of the world the 101/102 service isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.”
Stagecoach said that the overall cost of running the service rising 87 per cent to more than £500,000 coupled with “extremely low” passenger use were factors in the decision which led to anger among passengers and the campaign to save the service.
Mr Reid, 59, said: “Such a high level of engagement with more than 12,000 names on a petition, more than 1,400 survey responses from all along the route ,it moved the discussion from ‘can we afford this route?’ to ‘can we afford to lose this route?’.
“We’re delighted that the service has been saved albeit it’s a slightly reduced timetable but we’ve got to be thankful that Houston’s have stepped up to provide the service from April 1 onwards.”
The new contract will run for three years from April 1, with the option of a two year extension.
Mr Reid added: “In the fullness of time they’re looking to improve the service.
“Saving the service isn’t the journey’s end for Stand Up For Our Buses. We’re at our first stop and we’ve a good few stops to go.”
