A VITAL bus service connecting Kincardine with Dunfermline has been saved from cancellation.

As reported by the Press, the Stagecoach service 8/8A was set to be altered as part of the bus company’s plans to work their services around the new Dunfermline Learning Campus.

This saw a raft of changes implemented in Dunfermline and West Fife, including the 8/8A terminating at Culross.

A replacement bus service, the X22, was planned as an alternative, but this was blasted after learning it would still cut out the Kincardine and Clackmannan portion of the route.

Now, Fife Council have confirmed that the 8/8A service will continue, after the local authority has sourced funding to enable the continuation of the bus link until the end of March 2025.

Cllr Altany Craik, road spokesperson for Fife Council, said: “I’m pleased to confirm that the council have been able to identify funding to keep the service 8/8A running, with no changes to the current timetable, until at least the end of March 2025.

“Longer term, passenger surveys will be carried out to determine what level of service is required and what we are able to provide beyond then.”

The changes to the services are expected to come in on August 19, with the X22 coming into effect from July 29.

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Residents had voiced concerns that their villages would be cut off from vital routes that they use for work and leisure, prompting Fife Council to intervene.

Stagecoach have also announced that they will continue to serve as the operator for the 8/8A after successfully winning the tender.

The bus company have confirmed they will continue to work with Fife Council to monitor usage at the service and to discuss what services can be provided after March.

Douglas Robertson, managing director from Stagecoach East Scotland, added: “We’re pleased to retain service 8 beyond August 19, under contract to Fife Council and in response to customer feedback.

“As further development for the Clackmannanshire and Stirling area, we’re also delighted to be launching brand new service X22, in response to research findings by the University of Stirling and customer feedback.

“Service X22 will offer new and improved travel opportunities for commuters, students and leisure travellers between Dunfermline, West Fife and Stirling, including Springkerse Retail Park, up to every hour, and we look forward to seeing customers benefit from low-cost tickets, improved journey times and increased frequencies in the area.”