In 2025, yet again Stagecoach stopped operating a service through Newburgh. They have form cancelling services on commercial grounds. Why trust the bus when an operator can kill a service you've come to rely on?
A survey in 2018 asked residents to give their views on transport to and from Newburgh. A third of the town responded with robust commentary on the state of the public bus.
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"Buses aren’t very often and take a very long time for a simple journey".
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"Buses run late or don’t turn up with no explanation".
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"Buses are shocking. Newburgh with big cities so close but takes an age to get to".
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"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 highlighted the issue 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 -Â
​​The bus was used by only 12% of participants. Mostly likely these statistics, would be the same today. If anything passenger numbers may have declined further. There are certainly more cars and lorries on the A913 passing through Newburgh.
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.
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*IPPR is an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener and more prosperous society​
Timetable changes but still no trust or reliability
​In 2024, in response to years of complaints about poor bus services to and from Newburgh changes were made to existing timetables and a new route introduced. the providers of service and routes.
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It provided a better service for some, but others found themselves unable to get to work and education facilities in anything like a timely fashion.
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What one hand takes...
The new 65 bus timetable now included two later buses coming from Perth, an answer to complaints that there was no way to have a night out in the city without having to driver your car. Later this amended timetable was amended again with one of the late bus service dropped. Commercial considerations trump service, it seems.
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Closing on the end of 2025 and the last bus from Perth leaves at 5.50pm - there are now NO late buses at all!!
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Faint connections to train stations
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Moffat and Williamson, the local bus company, now operates 4 late-evening buses to and from St Andrews via rail stations at Ladybank and Leuchars. This is certainly an improvement.
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This is useful you are looking to catch the train north to Dundee and Aberdeen or South to Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh. But if you want to travel onwards to Inverness or Glasgow in the evening via Perth then trust your train does not run too late.
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Up until early 2025 there was a hourly 30 minute ride to Ladybank station. This was stopped as the M36 Newburgh to Glenrothes service was routed away from Ladybank. ​
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IT REALLY IS NOT WORKING
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However, it feels like a concession. It departs too early to allow for a decent night out.
​​Work
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There are improvements for those heading east from Newburgh for work, with Cupar close by and the new evening service to St Andrews. Likewise, there is now two additional early morning buses to Perth.
But there are only THREE buses to Perth that will get people to work before 9.00am.
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.
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"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
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Taxis
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Taxi are rare and often expensive. A journey to Ladybank station, just 7 miles away, can cost £25. Few taxi companies operate in the area and it is not untypical to have to wait a considerable time for a taxi to arrive.
Unfair anti-bus bias?
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Evidence suggests that, even if bus services were improved, car drivers would be reluctant to switch to buses.
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​​​Research by the Scottish Government Social Research unit in 2014 examined why many people are not drawn to using buses. The 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
11 years on and perception of service and the reality have not change much ,certainly not up here in NE Fife. It is still seen as poor service, and not one to use if it can be avoided.
The Newburgh bus service as they stand will not be encouraging car drivers away from their cars anytime soon.​
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The Newburgh bus
A station offers the best chance to get people back on to public transport
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.
