Galashiels is one town to benefit from transport cash

Bus services are being doubled on Edinburgh routes from Hawick, Selkirk, Galashiels and Peebles.

About �800,000 came from a successful grant application by Scottish Borders Council with �1.2m being spent by bus operator First.

The move sees 10 new single decker buses put on the improved services in order to reduce passenger waiting.

Speaking after the launch at Galashiels bus station, Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale Lib Dem MSP Jeremy Purvis welcomed the funding.

He said: "This is a vital and warmly welcomed improvement for bus services in the Borders.

"For the bus travelling public in my constituency, and across the Borders, this is very good news."

Peebles councillor Catriona Bhatia hoped the move might encourage locals who would previously have taken the car to consider taking the bus.

First's Borders managing director Brian Juffs said: "I am delighted that the extra funding from Scottish Borders Council together with our own investment in new low floor buses will make bus services in the Borders even better."