Lothiancountry has announced a network change that will continue to improve and build on its services in West Lothian, offering even more connections and better links into Edinburgh’s city centre from 17^th November, to encourage more people to get out of their cars.

The network changes follow an in-depth and thorough customer analysis, aligned with on-board customer feedback surveys and wider consultation with the community and stakeholders.

Included in the network change is an expanded and more frequent X27/X28 with new direct links to Edinburgh from Blackburn, Eliburn and Howden, also providing faster journeys from Whitburn to St John’s Hospital and new direct links from Whitburn to the Calders for Heriot Watt University, Napier University and Edinburgh College.

Following extensive customer feedback and requests from residents as well as engagement with wider stakeholders, Lothiancountry will introduce a new Service X38 from Linlithgow to Edinburgh, serving Winchburgh, Kirkliston, Ratho Station and Corstorphine.  This service will operate up to every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday, and every 30-minutes on a Sunday. The service will use high quality low emission Euro 6 vehicles, reducing emissions and offering an enhanced customer experience.

November will also see the introduction of a new Sunday service on the company’s X17 route, as well as offering a later journey Monday-Saturday between Edinburgh and Fauldhouse. Service 287 will now serve Livingston Village, offering direct links to St John’s Hospital, Livingston Centre and Bathgate.

Nigel Serafini, Commercial Director, Lothian said: “Following customer feedback and route analysis, we are delighted to introduce changes to our current network to better serve the local community of West Lothian. Following years of requests from a wide range of our customers and stakeholders, the introduction of a new X38 service will offer regular journeys from Linlithgow to Edinburgh, serving other key areas along the route, in particular giving residents in Kirkliston a long awaited Lothian operated service to and from the city centre.

“This network change will provide a comprehensive and reliable service for all of our customers who use our services locally, as well as for commuters travelling to and from Edinburgh city centre increasing the options for travel whilst reducing car use and making our city a better and cleaner place to be.”

Councillor Lesley Macinnes Transport and Environment Convener said: “Any measures that promote the use of public transport by increasing choice and frequency are to be welcomed.

“In particular, I welcome the enhanced level of service that this will bring to residents of Kirkliston and west Edinburgh.

“That these buses are low emission, Euro 6 vehicles, which will limit their impact on the environment, is particularly encouraging.”

Full details of all the changes are available at www.lothiancountry.co.uk