Community groups could have to stop providing important services if two West Fife bus routes are not saved.

Earlier this year Stagecoach decided to discontinue the 8 and 8A services after establishing that they are not commercially viable.

Both services run from Dunfermline Bus Station, with the 8 finishing at High Valleyfield Health Centre and the 8A at Alloa Shillinghill.

However, the local authority stepped in to provide temporary funding after locals and community groups felt that they would be left isolated by the discontinuation.

The Dunfermline peer mentoring charity Fairway Fife uses the bus every Thursday in order to attend the Grow West Fife community garden near Culross.

However, if the services are not protected, the charity says that visits will have to stop.

Manager Neil Freir said: "Due to its location, our members and volunteers would not be able to access Grow West Fife in future without the local bus service. 

"This would have a negative impact on so many people and the partnership we have developed with the team at Grow West Fife.

“Our charity provides a service to young adults with Learning Disabilities and Autism, encouraging each member to thrive and become more independent in the local community. 

"We support our members to travel safely to access community-based opportunities, and the local bus network is obviously essential for this.”

MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville added: “The decision on whether to continue the 8/8A service beyond March next year cannot come down to passenger numbers alone.

"Fairway Fife are a perfect example of a local group that relies on this route on a weekly basis.

"Of course, there are many other people who depend on this service, whether it's to visit family, travel to work or access leisure opportunities. I hope Fife Council will remember that before they make their final decision."

Fife Council's spokesperson for finance, economy and strategic planning, Councillor Altany Craik responded:  “Last summer, we identified funding which has allowed us keep the service running until at least the end of March 2025. 

“We understand that within local communities, there are people who rely on this service and the council is carrying out passenger surveys to help determine what level of service is required, and how affordable it is, so that we can see what we're able to provide longer term."

The future of the service will become clearer in the early months of next year. A spokesperson for Stagecoach East Scotland said: "The service 8A is currently tendered by Fife Council, between Culross and Alloa until 30th March 2025.

“Until then, we'll continue to work with Fife Council to monitor usage of the service, including carrying out on-board surveys and looking at potential tweaks to other services to determine what level of service can be provided in the future.

“Any changes to the service will be announced next year. Stagecoach also operate service X22, which runs hourly and offers direct links from Dunfermline to Alloa and Stirling."