MAJOR changes could be introduced to bus services in Cumnock.

Councils have now been given the power to run their own bus services in competition with private operators, like Stagecoach.

It comes after the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy Economy and Connectivity Committee passed two amendments during Stage 2 of the Transport Bill

The Cumnock Chronicle has been campaigning for a direct bus to be introduced from Cumnock to Glasgow after residents told us they have been left feeling cut off and stranded since Stagecoach axed the X76 last year.

When we asked the local authority if they had plans to introduce a similar service to replace the X76 they said they are ‘considering how services can be improved at a local level.’

MSP Brian Whittle welcomed the move and was excited about the idea it could ‘open up new possibilities for the area.

Mr. Whittle is now waiting for a meeting with Stagecoach to ask them to considering bringing back the X76 after the slashed the service for ‘a lack of demand’.

This comes despite over 500 people signing an online petition to bring back the life changing bus route.

A spokesperson for the Council said: “East Ayrshire Council is working closely with Coalfield Community Transport and Stagecoach to ensure that local bus services meet the needs of our communities and to improve existing services.

“Following on from the recent amendment to the Transport Bill at the Scottish Parliament, the Council will also consider how services can be improved at a local level.”

MSP Brian Whittle said: “The proposals to let councils run their own bus services“East Ayrshire Council is working closely with Coalfield Community Transport and Stagecoach to ensure that local bus services meet the needs of our communities and to improve existing services.

“Following on from the recent amendment to the Transport Bill at the Scottish Parliament, the Council will also consider how services can be improved at a local level.

for creating a new direct service between Cumnock and Glasgow. While I’m still waiting to hear from Stagecoach about a meeting, I hope they will be open to discussions about restoring a commercial service.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Air Pollution Campaigner Gavin Thomson said: “This is a great step forward for public transport in Scotland. Private bus operators have failed in many areas of the country, leaving us with declining bus passenger numbers, ever-increasing fares, and a fragmented network that serves company greed rather than community needs. Giving Councils the powers to run their own buses allows us to re-imagine what our public transport should look like.

“This is just the first step. Councils will need support and funding in order to deliver the much-needed improvements in our transport system. Scotland currently spends billions on new roads every year, favouring car drivers but only making tiny gains in journey times. Public cash for pointless new roads should be diverted to public transport, to help Councils set up comprehensive, affordable networks that can benefit everyone.”