Long-awaited rural Stirlingshire bus service ready to hit the road for first journey after community campaign

A long-awaited rural bus service is set to hit the road on Monday - with the final cost of the pilot scheme revealed.

The C60 bus, which serves a route between Callander and Killin, had been provided by local operator Kingshouse Travel for 28 years - but they were forced to pull out of their contract from March due to challenges with driver recruitment.

Rural communities served by the bus then united together in an attempt to find a solution, but the future of the C60 looked bleak after two tender attempts from Stirling Council failed to generate a viable offer.

But following continued pressure from businesses, residents and community groups, councillors agreed in May to approve a proposal to take the service in-house - with a two-year pilot programme launched.

An appeal for drivers to serve the route - which also connects villages including Lochearnhead, Killin and Strathyre - has now been successful and the first bus will hit the road on July 1.

The 16 seat minibus will operate four return journeys daily from Monday to Saturday along the A84, following the previous C60 route.

The pilot scheme will cost the council £88,100 - £3,600 over the current budget allocated for the service - with the increase funded via a budget set aside for transport costs.

Full details of the timetable and ticketing for the route is available on the council website, with National Entitlement and Young Scot cards valid for all journeys on the service.

In a statement confirming the bus’s first journey, the local authority said: “Stirling Council understands the importance of public transport provision for people living along this section of the A84, whether for travelling to work, appointments or leisure activities.

“Community engagement will also continue to raise awareness of the new service and encourage its use among residents and visitors. The pilot will also provide valuable lessons and experiences for future decisions on public transport provision.

“An update on the progress of the pilot service will be presented to a future meeting of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee.”

A group of Killin residents involved with the ‘Keep the Bus’ campaign told the Observer: “After a successful campaign, village residents are eagerly awaiting July 1 to see connectivity restored from Killin to Callander, Stirling, Tyndrum and beyond.

“Our relatively small community consists of many who rely on the bus service for both personal and professional reasons, and, alongside increased seasonal demands, we must thank Stirling Council for recognising this and pursuing options that have led to this reinstatement.

“While levels of support remain difficult to predict from Killin alone, it must be noted that this key service also provides connectivity for local communities and tourists between Tyndrum, Crianlarich, Luib, Lochearnhead, Kingshouse and Strathyre.”