19 April 2006
Kilmarnock local bus service upgraded
Residents in and around Kilmarnock’s Southcraigs estate are set to travel in greater comfort on bus journeys to the town centre, following Strathclyde Partnership for Transport’s decision to upgrade the Service 332.
A brand new state-of-the-art Optare Solo bus, in SPT’s familiar cream and carmine colours has begun operating on the route providing an important public transport link for communities to the north of the town centre. The service, operated by Shuttle Buses on behalf of SPT, runs to and from Southcraigs on a half hourly basis. It also makes two runs a day to Galston, stopping calling at Fenwick, Waterside and Moscow.
The bus is one of the new generation low floor buses, designed with a ramp to allow easy boarding for wheelchair passengers and those travelling with young children in pushchairs. The vehicle’s low floor also makes it easier for passengers with mobility problems to get on and off.
Among the first passenger to try out the new bus was one of the service’s regular users Mrs Margaret Cairns of Southcraigs and she was welcomed on board by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport Chair Councillor Alistair Watson and partnership member for East Ayrshire Cllr Jimmy Kelly.
SPT Chair Councillor Watson welcomed the latest new bus to be used on its subsidised service routes saying: "One of SPT’s key policies is providing outlying communities with good public transport links to ensure people have access to education, employment and leisure opportunities and we are delivering improvements all the time. The public transport option needs to be attractive to passengers that’s why we’re investing in this type of fully accessible vehicle that’s custom built for the job."
East Ayrshire Council member Councillor Jimmy Kelly agreed: "As the town gets bigger, it’s important that public transport connections keep pace with this growth so I’m pleased that communities in Southcraigs and further north, have easy, reliable access to the town centre."
Mrs Cairns said: "My husband and I are in and out of the town centre most days, thanks to this bus service and we find it very reliable. It’s a great service because the buses run to time."
Another passenger, Mrs Edith Stewart of Beansburn added: "I use the bus regularly and have got to know the drivers. It’s high time Charlie got a new bus!"
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