The village of Westfield has won a daily bus service to Armadale three years after losing its last commercial bus link.
The numbers using the demand response Taxibus service persuaded transport officers in West Lothian council that it would be viable to extend the Armadale/Whitburn town service to serve Westfield, around four miles from Armadale, with a link to Avonbridge during peak hours improving the public transport in the area.
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The council had already decided to extend its contracts on subsidised bus services until 2023 to help public transport re-establish after the pandemic.
Historically, Westfield was served by the 29 bus service, which provided a transport link to Armadale and Bathgate as well as a cross boundary link into Falkirk.
The peak hour service was provided on a commercial basis by First Bus Monday – Saturday with both West Lothian Council and Falkirk Council providing subsidy to operate the service in the evenings and on a Sunday.
In October 2019, First Bus stopped their commercial service within the Falkirk council area boundary, leaving Westfield without a bus service through the main part of the day.
West Lothian contracted the demand-responsive Taxibus service to operate between Westfield and Armadale during the peak period which would continue the transport link and allow passengers to connect with their closest amenities and other bus services for onward travel.
Although the Taxibus maintained a link to vital services, it was recognised that this temporary solution was not the norm, but the drop off in travel with the onset of the pandemic further delayed the introduction of a regular bus service.
Public Transport manager Nicola Gill told a meeting of the council executive that the new service linked to the LBS 6 can be reinstated during peak hours with the demand responsive service available in the evenings and on Sundays.
Local Labour councillor Andrew McGuire told the meeting: "I’d like to thank Nicola and her team for their hard work over this protracted time, not least because of the pandemic. It’s fantastic to see a bus route re-emerge in Westfield and I hope it continues for a very long time.”
Local Independent Councillor Stuart Borrowman said: “I’m delighted that this proposal has finally made it to the start line though it has taken a lot longer than I had hoped and expected.
“Bus services are much thinner on the ground than was once the case and links to Linlithgow and a direct connection to Bathgate would have been ideal but I’m pleased we now have a solid core service for Westfield and adjacent hamlets.”
The current Taxibus service in Westfield will now be available in the evenings and Sundays from 1 April when the new bus service- operated by SD Travel - begins.
Cathy Muldoon, Executive councillor for development and transport added: “This is a positive update to bus contracts in West Lothian and I’m sure it will be welcomed by the community in Westfield.”
