August 2025 – New 203 Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) pilot service – connecting Muckhart to Kinross and Dollar/Tillcoultry
We’re delighted to confirm Glenfarg Community Transport Group’s (GCTG) Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) pilot service between Muckhart and Rumbling Bridge is now open to all. This service has been tested during the summer and allows connection with the number 23 service to Kinross and Tillycoultry at Rumbling Bridge. The pilot is for a 3 month trial period from August and we hope that as many people as possible give it a go so that if funding allows, it can be extended to link up more fully with the 23 service.
Full 23 timetable at https://glenfargct.co.uk/timetable/
Service times – initially on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Muckhart (bus stop opposite Mona’s) → Rumbling Bridge: 09.15
Rumbling Bridge → 23 service to Tillycoultry via Dollar: 09.27
Return from Tillycoultry (Sterling Mills outlet village) → Rumbling Bridge: 11.02
Rumbling Bridge → 23 service to Kinross: 09.23
Return from Kinross (Park and Ride) → Rumbling Bridge: 11.15 or from Milnathort (Heaven Scent): 11.05
Other Kinross stops – the Kirklands Hotel, Green Hotel, Muirs Hotel, Leisure Centre (in between 11.05 and 11.15)
You can book by using the Ride Pingo app or emailing [email protected].
You can use your National Concession card or pay by cash/card
For return Kinross/ Tillycoultry trips, please ask for a return number 23 fare. If booking by Ride Pingo, please note that the fares shown may not be accurate at this stage.
We hope you’ll use this pilot service so that it is able to continue and develop. Keep up to date with news at: https://glenfargct.co.uk/the-203-ddrt-new-pilot-service/
Got any questions? Email [email protected].
Finally, a huge thank you to GCTG for taking this pilot forward and getting Muckhart back on the road again!
2024 MCC Transport Survey
Thank you to everyone who responded to our transport survey. We had a good response with a lot of helpful information, which has clearly demonstrated the need for a public transport service or community bus in our area. A copy of the analysis report for the survey is available here:
Muckhart Community Transport Survey Responses Report
Since the survey MCC has continued to discuss with Glenfarg Community Transport Group (GCTG) the possible arrangements needed to ensure Muckhart’s inclusion in the revamped 202 service from September 24. Sadly, we have now learned that Clackmannanshire Council has determined that it will not provide the necessary financial support to enable the residents of Muckhart to have access to the bus service. This is extremely disappointing news, the more so given that the Council has seen fit not to contact MCC to notify it of the decision. We have learned about the Council’s refusal through the GCTG which has been in close discussion with Perth and Kinross Council. Understandably, Perth and Kinross have said that they wish to see a contribution from Clackmannanshire in order to include Muckhart in the 202 route.
Other options are being explored, and a meeting has also taken place between MCC representatives, Drew Smart, Chair of Glenfarg Community Transport Group, and Keith Brown, MSP. At that meeting, Mr Brown was asked to support the residents of Muckhart in our bid to reintroduce a public bus service. And he was brought up to date with the residents’ survey on the need for a bus service and a community bus option.
Mr Brown has now written to the Chief Executive of Clackmannanshire Council, Neil Gray, MSP, Minister for Health and Social Care and the Interim Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley. These letters were issued on the same day that confirmation was received that Glenfarg Community Transport, recent winner of the Best Bus Service in Scotland Award, has been awarded the 202 route with effect from 2nd September 2024.
MCC ‘s campaign for better transport has the support of ward councillors, however, it is understood that Clackmannanshire Council are awaiting the outcome of its own review of public services within the Clackmannanshire area before any further response is made.
MCC are grateful for Mr Brown’s help on this important issue and copies of his correspondence are available here:
Muckhart-Bus-Service-Needs – letter to CE, Clackmannanshire Council
Public-Transport-Access-to-Health-Services – letter to Cabinet Secretary, Health and Social Services
Health-Board-Bus-Services – letter to CE, NHS Forth Valley
We will keep you informed of any further news as it becomes available, but in the meantime thank you for all your support! Any comments are welcome on the outcome of our discussions so far and can be made to [email protected]
September 2024 Update
A letter from Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity to Keith Brown MSP has indicated an inability to intervene on this issue. A copy of his response is shown below:
It has also recently been confirmed that the feedback provided to Mott Macdonald, the consultants undertaking Clackmannanshire Council’s own transport survey, would be considered as part of a larger piece of work on sustainable transport, with a paper expected to be submitted to Clackmannanshire Council in early 2025.
About Marion Riddell
