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New Coach Services for Region

STRANRAER and Dumfries will soon be linked with a two-hourly coach service.

From a week on Monday, refurbished modern coaches operated by Stagecoach West Scotland will take over the 500 service from MacEwan Coach Services of Dumfries. And with the aid of an increased council subsidy they will double the number of links a day, Monday to Saturday, between the two biggest towns in the region from four to eight.

The dedicated coaches with a distinctive livery have just emerged from the workshops with fresh carpets, seating and lighting. Seating is among the most modern available to allow more legroom for passengers and there will be an area at the front of the coach for luggage.

To run initially for four years, the new council contract with Stagecoach can be extended if it is considered there is enough business on the route to justify it. Colin Douglas, transportation and road safety manager with the council, told the Free Press "It is up to the travelling public to use the new service".