A plan to improve bus services in Levenmouth to complement the imminent return of rail services to the area has been approved by local councillors.

The Levenmouth Area Committee agreed to fund the delivery of the bus services via the Levenmouth Reconnected Programme with £1.75 million being allocated for a combination of new and enhanced bus services serving communities across Levenmouth over the next three years to improve connectivity and transport access to employment and key services including education, health and leisure facilities.

Three options were drawn up following a feasibility study and extensive consultation, and a hybrid of the three has been assessed as best suited to help improve connectivity relative to cost, benefits, patronage, and long-term viability.

The funding support for the new bus services is being offered over a three-year period to allow them to grow patronage and hopefully become more attractive to commercial operators to run without Council subsidy.

Councillor Colin Davidson, convener of the Levenmouth Area Committee, said: “We all want to see connectivity improved across Levenmouth and encourage more people to use sustainable public transport, so this option provides a good balance between identified service needs and value for money.

“The revisions proposed will give everyone in Levenmouth a higher level of service, while the new services put forward will not only provide more direct links to the rail stations but will also better connect our coastal communities.”