Newburgh Train Campaign
Back on track
Despite changes to bus services, the problem of unreliability remains
Following years of complaints about poor service, changes were made to the routing and timetabling of buses serving Newburgh. The new times have improved the situation to a degree. However, the buses are still considered unreliable and remain underused.
It will take a much more substantial service upgrade than this to persuade car drivers to switch to buses
The story of the Newburgh bus
Newburgh is not the biggest fan of buses. A survey in 2018 asked residents to give their thoughts on travel habits and public transport. Around a third of the town responded with comments that were quite 'robust' and not terribly complimentary.
"Buses aren’t very often and take a very long time for a simple journey".
"Buses run late or don’t turn up with no explanation".
"Buses are shocking. Newburgh with big cities so close but takes an age to get to".
"Bus to Perth takes ages as it detours around Bridge of Earn. Takes 1 and a half hours out of my day with commuting. Inconvenient with a three year old daughter to look after"
Newburgh Residents
The survey produced stats that demonstrated the issues of poor bus services and heavy road use. One question asked participants what mode of travel they used. 630 people responded -
They were then asked for which reason they mostly travelled -
Declining bus provision in Scotland makes it hard for the Scottish government to meet its commitment to reduce car miles by 20 per cent by 2030, relative to a 2019 baseline. While bus miles have decreased by 27 per cent, the total distance travelled by passengers has dropped precipitously by 44 per cent.
The bus was used by only 12% of participants. Many of these statistics, though not new, would broadly be the same today. If anything has changed, it will be that there are now even more cars and lorries on the road!
A 2024 IPPR* report: Revealed neglect of rural areas in transport planning increases the risk of missing climate targets, Declining bus provision in Scotland will make it hard for the Scottish government to meet its commitment to reduce car miles by 20 per cent by 2030.
Bus miles have decreased by 27 per cent since 2019 and the total distance travelled by passengers has dropped precipitously by 44 per cent.
*IPPR is an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener and more prosperous society
Changes to the service in 2024
In response to complaints, changes were made to bus timetables, the providers of service and routes. There are now two later buses coming from Perth to Newburgh. A new night bus service operates four later buses to and from St Andrews.
For shopping and general needs
Perhaps the most obvious improvement is the reinstating of a direct hourly 22 minute service to Cupar with options to catch a train, north to Dundee and south to Edinburgh.
This is negated by the withdrawal of the direct service to Ladybank station during the day - a station with on average more trains per hour than Cupar. What one hand gives...
For a night out
Two extra buses now depart from Perth later in the evening. The last bus leaves the city at 22.10, an improvement which allows for something of an evening in the Perth.
However, it feels like a concession. It departs too early to allow for a decent night out.
Getting back from Edinburgh or Dundee is now easier with the introduction of a late evening bus service via Ladybank or Leuchars stations.
Work
There are improvements for those heading east from Newburgh for work, with Cupar close by and the new evening service to St Andrews. But those heading west to Perth see no real improvement. The issue of insufficient services in the morning remain. One timetable change has left some shift workers having to get the first bus out of Newburgh to Perth and then having to hang around until work begins.
The timetable is hardly one which will encourage car commuters to leave their car at home.
Overall, despite these changes, buses are all too often late or cancelled. For these reasons, it is not trusted as a service and only those who have no other option use the bus.
"I could get the bus even if I had heavy shopping. but can I rely on the bus? I'm not sure if it's going to turn up. If it's going to be late. I would rather use my car".
Newburgh resident
Taxis
Taxi are rare and they are expensive. A journey to Ladybank station, just 7 miles away, is in the region of £25. Few taxi companies operate in the area. It is not untypical to have to wait a considerable time for a taxi to come.
Adopting the bus as a mode of travel
Evidence suggests that, even if bus services were improved, car drivers in particular would be reluctant to switch to buses.
Research by the Scottish Government Social Research unit examined why many people are not drawn to using buses. Reasons given included: -
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Comfort :
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Convenience
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Unreliability
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Perception
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Safety Concerns
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Lack of Amenities
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Social Factors
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Accessibility
As things stand, car drivers, particularly commuters, will not be stepping away from their cars anytime soon.
A station offers the best chance to get people back on to public transport
