DUNFERMLINE councillors have got on board with plans to provide several free days of bus travel in the city over the next year.

Members of the City of Dunfermline Area Committee agreed to contribute their share of the devolved parking initiatives budget – a total of £18,000 – to fund the initiative.

It follows a similar scheme last year when there was free bus travel offered on Mother’s Day, March 10, Easter weekend and March 30 and 31.

Committee convener, Councillor James Calder, explained: "Using this budget for free bus travel will encourage more people to take environmentally friendly travel in Dunfermline instead of using the car. This also makes sure those who don’t have a car also benefit.

“We learned from last year that Saturdays are the most attractive free travel day and take up is more likely in December with the attraction of Christmas shopping and city festivities.”  

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A report which went before councillors on Tuesday said that despite the move being "widely publicised", the scheme was not as popular as anticipated.

"Feedback from bus operators showed take up of the free travel offer was lower than expected," it stated. "In total 2,878 free bus tickets were issued at a total cost of £7,138.

"The initiative was widely publicised on social media in the run up to and throughout the free travel period, with an estimated reach of almost 150,000 from the Our Dunfermline Facebook page which has around 6,000 followers."

It is hoped that the return of the scheme will encourage people to travel in the city using sustainable public transport, support households that don’t have a car and help reduce carbon emissions. 

Officers will work with councillors to agree the free bus travel days for 2024/25 and the dates are set to be confirmed in the next few weeks.