A firm that has taken control of buses in Falkirk immediately pulled 120 vehicles from the road because they were not up to the company's standards.
McGill's Group - who took over the running of First Scotland East's business in Falkirk, Stirling and West Lothian in September - now believe it will take two years to fully restore the service to the standards they expect.
Upper Braes councillor Claire Mackie-Brown met with the new owners this week, having been overwhelmed with complaints from constituents about infrequent and unreliable bus services since she was elected to Falkirk Council in May.