KILWINNING bus operator Shuttle Buses has won the contract to run the local 20 service from Stagecoach.

Subject to final negotiations, the company has been awarded the contract by Scottish Passenger Transport (SPT) and will take over the running of the service in July.

Discussions are ongoing about the details of the service, however, the contract awarded by SPT would see the service cut from half hourly to hourly.

Shuttle bus Managing Director David Granger said: “We have put forward various proposals to SPT on the exact format of the service including how an half hourly service can be maintained and are awaiting their response. The ball is in their court.

“We’re very happy at the prospect of running the 20 as that is the route we started out on back in 1990 with our first minibus.

Kilwinning Labour Councillor Joe Cullinane also welcomed the news but still hopes SPT will commit to retaining a half hourly service. Councillor Cullinane said: “I am sure local people will welcome the news that a local company, based just down the road in the industrial estate, have been awarded the contract. However, the most important issue remains the frequency of the service.” “100,000 passengers per year use this service which shows that there is a demand for it. The operator retains the fares from these journeys in addition to £33,000 of public money from SPT.” “SPT’s position is that an hourly service is the minimum level of service that will meet the social needs of the community and therefore, to protect the public purse, they’ve tendered the contract on this basis.

Although I firmly disagree with the terms of the contract I do agree with SPT’s assessment that with 100,000 passengers per year it could be argued that there is a commercial case for the current half hourly service and they do categorically state that the operator of the service will be free to deliver a service above and beyond the terms of the tendered contract.” “I have written to Shuttle Bus to congratulate them on winning the contract but have also asked to meet them to discuss the frequency of the service they will provide. As someone who has been campaigning for better bus services I very much hope a half hourly service can be retained.” SPT have also confirmed that they have not agreed to Councillor Cullinane’s request for an evening 20/320 service to be subsidised. Speaking on this matter Councillor Cullinane said: “I had put to SPT that rather than tendering for a reduced daytime service they should instead have been introducing an evening service. I am disappointed that this been rejected by SPT.”