Stagecoach to drop further services in Dumfries and Galloway

Efforts are being made to find alternative provision after bus firm Stagecoach revealed plans to drop two of its last remaining services in Dumfries and Galloway.

The company kept only a handful of routes in the region following a dispute over new contracts which saw other operators take over most services in August.

Now it has confirmed that its number 80 town service in Annan and 579 school service from Gretna to Annan will end on 5 January as passenger numbers are too low to cover running costs.

The region's transport partnership SWestrans said talks were at an advanced stage on a replacement service.

Stagecoach effectively pulled out of Dumfries and Galloway earlier this year leaving only a tiny number of remaining services.

Confirming the changes, the company said: "These routes are no longer commercially viable, with passenger numbers insufficient to cover operating costs.

"Withdrawing a service is never a decision we take lightly and we're sorry that we are unable to continue running these routes.

"We have provided advance notice of this difficult decision to Dumfries and Galloway Council."

It said arrangements were being made for alternative services for school children while fare-paying customers could continue to travel on the 79 service on the same route.

SWestrans said it was aware of local concern about the withdrawal of the services and was "actively working" to maintain it.

It said discussions were at an advanced stage with Annandale Community Transport Services (ACTS) on a potential replacement service.

The company added that schoolchildren travelling on the 579 from Gretna to Annan would be reallocated to alternative transport services and parents would be contacted in due course.

It thanked the community for its patience while it worked to "keep the community connected".