Public transport in Newburgh
The shapeshifting bus service
In 2025, Stagecoach cancelled the bus to Cupar citing commercial reasons for doing so. They have form abandoning services. How can you develop trust in the bus when profit comes before public good?
We've been saying it's bad for years.
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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 - ​​​​​​​​​​​​​
A survey in 2018 asked Newburgh residents to give their views on public transport to and from the town. A third responded with robust commentary on the state of the public bus.
​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 and it has gotten worse!
​In 2024, in response to years of complaints about the poor Newburgh bus service a new timetable was introduced. It introduced a new service and later running buses back from Perth to Newburgh.
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A better service for some, but others found themselves struggling to get to and from work and education in anything like a timely fashion.
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What one hand takes...
The new 65 bus timetable now included two later buses from Perth, in 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. Stagecoach cited Commercial considerations - again trumped what might h decent service,
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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 if 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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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.​​​
As things stand, car drivers, particularly commuters, will not be stepping away from their cars anytime soon. ​​​​​​​​
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.
Unfair anti-bus bias?​
Evidence suggests that, even if bus services were improved, car drivers would be reluctant to switch to buses. ​​​​Research by the Scottish Government Social Research unit in 2014 examined why many people are not drawn to using buses. Reasons given included: - Comfort : Convenience/Unreliability/Perception/Safety Concerns/Lack of Amenities/Social Factors/Accessibility
A station offers the best chance to get people back on to public transport
