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David v Goliath result at Scottish Transport Awards

    Best Bus Service 2024 is: Glenfarg Community Transport Group: The 55 Bus

    After only one year operating a lifeline bus service which was set up following bus service withdrawals in a rural area, Glenfarg Community Transport has scooped the Best Bus Service award at the Scottish Transport Awards 2024. In front of an audience of over 400 transport specialists and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, the prize was accepted by Drew Smart and Douglas Fraser.
    When the bus service serving the village of Glenfarg was withdrawn for the second time in three years the villagers decided to come together and run the bus service themselves. Setting up as a not-for-profit charity and obtaining all of the necessary permits to run a bus service, the Group entered a Public Social Partnership with Perth & Kinross Council and The 55 Bus started in April 2023 between Glenfarg and Kinross. Initially making 120 passenger journeys per week, numbers grew and the service was extended in January to serve the Kinross to Perth via Glenfarg route – now passenger numbers regularly exceed 1,000 per week and continue to grow.
    The bus service serves communities in Kinross, Milnathort, Glenfarg, Bridge of Earn and Perth giving access to surgery appointments, shops, schools and allows residents to leave their cars at home. The service links with services to major cities through Kinross Park & Ride and connections are easily made at Perth Bus Station and Railway Station. From being isolated and disadvantaged Glenfarg is once again connected to the rest of the world.
    Recognising their success, Perth & Kinross Council has extended their partnership and from 1st September, Glenfarg Community Transport Group will be extending once again, to provide The 23 Bus between Kinross and Tillicoultry, replacing the 202 service currently operated by Stagecoach.

    Shortlisted services in Best Bus Service Category were:

    Best Bus Service • Glenfarg Community Transport Group: The 55 Bus • Lothian Buses: Airlink – Service 100 • McGill’s Bus Service Ltd: ClydeFlyer  • McGill’s Bus Service Ltd: Unilink  • ScotRail: Glasgow Station Bus Link • Scottish Citylink Coaches: Service 902: Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport via Monklands and Livingston • Stagecoach East Scotland: Fife to Edinburgh Airport on JET747  • Stagecoach North Scotland: Stagecoach Aviemore Adventurer  

    GCTG were also shortlisted in the Most Innovative Transport Project 2024 category. 

    www.GlenfargCT.co.uk
    Tel: 07764 511178

    About the Scottish Transport Awards: https://www.transporttimes.co.uk/awards.php/Scottish-Transport-Awards-3