CHANGES to a bus service connecting Dunfermline to Alloa via Kincardine are set to be introduced next month.

The Service 8/8A bus, which runs from Alloa to Dunfermline, stopping through Clackmannan and Kincardine, is set to cut off the Clackmannanshire portion of its route.

This is due to changes put forward by Stagecoach, who looked to make “significant changes” across its Dunfermline fleet.

The changes in the city are to cater for the opening of the Dunfermline Learning Campus this summer.

A statement from Stagecoach said: “For the schools returning on August 19, a number of the local bus services we run on behalf of Fife Council are changing, including school services.

“To coincide with these changes, we’ll be revising some of our commercially operated services to tie in with these contracts, as well as making significant changes to the Dunfermline network to cater for travel to the new learning campus in Duloch, due to open at this time.”

For Kincardine and Clackmannanshire residents, the 8/8A bus will be cut from Culross, with only two services travelling west of Fife towards the Wee County.

The late night journey to Kincardine and the Sunday service to Alloa will remain in operation, while the bus company has also announced a new bus to bridge the gap.

The new X22 service will commence on July 29, maintaining the link between Dunfermline and Alloa, while also extending to Stirling.

Stagecoach held a consultation period throughout June, welcoming customer feedback on timings and adjustments before making their final decisions.

These changes will now come into effect on August 19, with the X22 bus commencing on July 29 to utilise a proper grace period.

Residents throughout Kincardine and Clackmannan shared concerns with the changes, relaying fears that they may become more isolated if changes were to go ahead.

One resident, who wished to stay anonymous, hoped that the new service would still cater to individual passengers’ needs.

They said: “I hope that the new bus continues to stop at the Toll Road rather than just the centre of Kincardine.

“That would be a problem for a lot of elderly residents for whom access to the centre to the village is difficult.

“Residents have a hard time going up the hill from the centre with all their shopping and the new bus needs to take that into account.”