All New Dumfries and Galloways area:

[PG]

You are quite right, there is a return trip at 1540 Mon-Sat as well as an earlier one at 1335 on school days. The difference, among other changes, is that the 1335 used to run on non-school M-F and on Saturdays too, giving an hour and three quarters in Newton Stewart (the bus arrived at 1145 on the old timings). This is down to SPT and D&G Council; they specified the new timetable.

In addition to this there is a journey that arrives in Newton Stewart at 1405 Mon-Sat which gives just over an hour and a half in town before the return journey leaves.

A shame that Giancarlo Rinaldi, the BBC reporter (from whom the National copied the story), didn't bother to look at the timetable before bashing the keyboard else he'd have realised that things aren't quite as dire as he'd like us to believe. Also odd that the council haven't pointed this out, either to locals or journalists!

 

[Stan Drews]

In addition to this there is a journey that arrives in Newton Stewart at 1405 Mon-Sat which gives just over an hour and a half in town before the return journey leaves.

A shame that Giancarlo Rinaldi, the BBC reporter (from whom the National copied the story), didn't bother to look at the timetable before bashing the keyboard else he'd have realised that things aren't quite as dire as he'd like us to believe. Also odd that the council haven't pointed this out, either to locals or journalists!

That last bit is the part that really struck me. Why on earth haven’t the council quickly pointed this out to the complainants? Perhaps they don’t understand their own timetables?

 

[PG]

That last bit is the part that really struck me. Why on earth haven’t the council quickly pointed this out to the complainants? Perhaps they don’t understand their own timetables?

At a rough guess - Bureaucracy! While someone in the public transport department (assuming that they actually have one) might wish to explain what buses actually serve Glentrool and when, no doubt any communication will have to be checked by another department (or two) and then possibly be approved by the legal bods just to prevent it somehow biting them in their backsides.

Edit: I wonder if any of the complainants actually asked a bus driver what times the buses were coming back from Newton Stewart? You'd have thought any halfway decent driver would have been able to explain the reality in less than a minute.

 

[Megafuss]

In addition to this there is a journey that arrives in Newton Stewart at 1405 Mon-Sat which gives just over an hour and a half in town before the return journey leaves.

A shame that Giancarlo Rinaldi, the BBC reporter (from whom the National copied the story), didn't bother to look at the timetable before bashing the keyboard else he'd have realised that things aren't quite as dire as he'd like us to believe. Also odd that the council haven't pointed this out, either to locals or journalists!

Instead of bashing the reporter, I suggest you read the BBC story directly.

Giancarlo is clearly writing about the Saturday situation for customers travelling to Newton Stewart, for which he is 100% accurate.

 

[Dwarfer1979]

Instead of bashing the reporter, I suggest you read the BBC story directly.

Giancarlo is clearly writing about the Saturday situation for customers travelling to Newton Stewart, for which he is 100% accurate.

No, from the information I could find (both Bustimes & the DGC timetable on their website) it says the 1540 trip runs Monday to Saturday, it may have been a major cut from what they previously had but it isn't quite as bad as the story makes out. As I said the DGC timetable is a little unclear due to notes but it took me about 10-mins to check and I live 300 miles away so I'm not familiar with the geography. It is quite damning that no one at the council has been able to clear this up, a simple enquiry shouldn't need to go through lots of bureaucracy to get a simple timetable response and a press request always comes with a deadline so they should be capable of formulating an accurate response in the timescale.

 

[PG]

Instead of bashing the reporter, I suggest you read the BBC story directly.

Giancarlo is clearly writing about the Saturday situation for customers travelling to Newton Stewart, for which he is 100% accurate.

I have indeed directly read the BBC story and I refer you to the service 359 timetable which shows that the BBC article is inaccurate in respect of the Saturday service.
So much for the BBC supposedly fact checking their articles!

 

[computerSaysNo]

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/55077304

 

[NorthOxonian]

I have indeed directly read the BBC story and I refer you to the service 359 timetable which shows that the BBC article is inaccurate in respect of the Saturday service.
So much for the BBC supposedly fact checking their articles!

The only people for whom it would be accurate are those in the northernmost part of route - Pinmore, Pinwherry etc. They could not make a return journey on a non school day, but in fairness they're more likely to be shopping in Girvan anyway (and Dumfries & Galloway Council would perhaps argue that these South Ayrshire villagers aren't really their concern).

 

[318266]

I do not seem to be able to find a record of it now, but I could have sworn that the bustimes.org site (fed, in this case, via Traveline National open data, fed in turn by DGC) had said that the last return was 1135 when I checked 2 days ago. Perhaps, they didn't want to make a big fuss by admitting they messed up their own open dataset, so they quietly added it whilst issuing a statement to the press that any complaints can be forwarded to their "campaign to gather feedback" (consultation?).

 

[Bedford OB]

I do not seem to be able to find a record of it now, but I could have sworn that the bustimes.org site (fed, in this case, via Traveline National open data, fed in turn by DGC) had said that the last return was 1135 when I checked 2 days ago. Perhaps, they didn't want to make a big fuss by admitting they messed up their own open dataset, so they quietly added it whilst issuing a statement to the press that any complaints can be forwarded to their "campaign to gather feedback" (consultation?).

I don't know about Bus Times, but both the SPT leaflet for 359, which was issued on 23 July, and the D&G timetable, which appeared at the turn of the month, have clearly included the full afternoon timetable from the outset.

 

[markymark2000]

I do not seem to be able to find a record of it now, but I could have sworn that the bustimes.org site (fed, in this case, via Traveline National open data, fed in turn by DGC) had said that the last return was 1135 when I checked 2 days ago. Perhaps, they didn't want to make a big fuss by admitting they messed up their own open dataset, so they quietly added it whilst issuing a statement to the press that any complaints can be forwarded to their "campaign to gather feedback" (consultation?).

DGC have always made a hash of their Traveline entries. It took them until a few days ago to add the rest of McCalls services, before the other day they only operated 3 bus routes according to Traveline. DGCs transport team screams of 'all the gear but no idea'

 

[N1]

DGC have always made a hash of their Traveline entries. It took them until a few days ago to add the rest of McCalls services, before the other day they only operated 3 bus routes according to Traveline. DGCs transport team screams of 'all the gear but no idea'

Just to be clear, is it Dumfries & Galloway Council who are supposed to make these entries, or SWestrans?

If anyone is interested this on LOCAL BUS NETWORK UPDATE was uploaded yesterday(?) in preparation for SWestrans board meeting on 26th September. Makes an interesting read, 3.18 deals with timetable info.

 

[overthewater]

The most interesting thing from that update is more cuts are coming look at: 3.12 - 3.14

Cancellation of the commercial 383 service (Annan to Lockerbie)
3.12 The current commercially run 383 service (Lockerbie to Annan) operated by Houston’s Coaches has been identified for withdrawal by the operator. Houston’s Coaches have submitted paperwork to cancel the service from 16 November 2025, as they state it is not commercially advantageous to continue to operate. It is the responsibility of the SWestrans Board to consider whether to incorporate this service into the subsidised bus network.

3.13 In the last 12 months, the 383 service carried almost 42k passengers, an average of 163 passengers each day of operation (Monday to Saturday). The service provides the only link from Annan to Eaglesfield, whilst the 382 provides an alternative service from Eaglesfield, on to Castlemilk, Kettleholm and on to Lockerbie. 46 per cent of the passengers on the 383 are under 22-year olds, with 23 per cent under 16. 24 per cent of passengers are over 60 years old. These figures suggest that the service provides an important service to the local population that will not be available following its withdrawal by Houston’s Coaches.

3.14 We will make known to other operators in the region the opportunity to operate this route on a commercial basis. However, on the expectation that other operators do not choose to operate the service commercially, and due to the SWestrans subsidy budget being fully committed, the Board is asked to consider the withdrawal of the 383 service from the Dumfries and Galloway bus network.

 

[Bedford OB]

The most interesting thing from that update is more cuts are coming look at: 3.12 - 3.14

If they weren't wasting money on Consultants, they could afford to support services they deem necessary.

 

[jackgwycombe]

The most interesting thing from that update is more cuts are coming look at: 3.12 - 3.14

It's interesting that they would be willing to let a previously fully commercial service be cut overnight. I'm sure the subsidy per passenger on the 383 would be significantly lower than on many of the other services they are funding!

 

[JKP]

Just to be clear, is it Dumfries & Galloway Council who are supposed to make these entries, or SWestrans?

If anyone is interested this on LOCAL BUS NETWORK UPDATE was uploaded yesterday(?) in preparation for SWestrans board meeting on 26th September. Makes an interesting read, 3.18 deals with timetable info.

It is Dumfries and Galloway Council who are responsible for updating Traveline.

You will note that the Council has so far failed to fully update roadside information. Shameful. The Council once employed an inspector to carry out this work but I don’t think he was replaced when he retired.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Sep 2025 ==

The most interesting thing from that update is more cuts are coming look at: 3.12 - 3.14

A question on the 383 I have is do McCalls run this route commercially or under tender on a Saturday? Houston’s from what I can see only run Monday to Friday using two buses at peak and one bus off peak. There must be a risk of this route only running Saturdays which would look most odd and when I suspect there are far fewer passengers. I suspect many passengers are travelling at school times so additional costs will once again be placed on the education budget.

 

[tbtc]

3.13 In the last 12 months, the 383 service carried almost 42k passengers, an average of 163 passengers each day of operation (Monday to Saturday). The service provides the only link from Annan to Eaglesfield, whilst the 382 provides an alternative service from Eaglesfield, on to Castlemilk, Kettleholm and on to Lockerbie. 46 per cent of the passengers on the 383 are under 22-year olds, with 23 per cent under 16. 24 per cent of passengers are over 60 years old

So at least 70% of passengers aren't contributing at the fare box (since some of the 23-59yos could be disabled etc)

It must be hard to sustain commercial services in that kind of environment, given how parsimonious reimbursement rates are

But then these numbers may be true for a number of services in 2025, meaning more incentive to squeeze the fare payers to raise the amount reimbursed in respect of the vast majority of non-payers

 

[Simon75]

Is the former Dumfries garage, now an outstation for the X74 ?

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Is the former Dumfries garage, now an outstation for the X74 ?

Yes

 

[Simon75]

Yes

Thank you, I forgot to ask, is Stranraer now an outstation, or fully closed?

 

[Bedford OB]

It is Dumfries and Galloway Council who are responsible for updating Traveline.

You will note that the Council has so far failed to fully update roadside information. Shameful. The Council once employed an inspector to carry out this work but I don’t think he was replaced when he retired.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Sep 2025 ==


A question on the 383 I have is do McCalls run this route commercially or under tender on a Saturday? Houston’s from what I can see only run Monday to Friday using two buses at peak and one bus off peak. There must be a risk of this route only running Saturdays which would look most odd and when I suspect there are far fewer passengers. I suspect many passengers are travelling at school times so additional costs will once again be placed on the education budget.

The Saturday service on 383 by McCall's is supported, only M-F is commercial.

 

[EMU303]

Dumfries and Galloway Council orders Enviro100EV electric trio

Dumfries and Galloway Council has ordered three Alexander Dennis Enviro100EV electrics. They will have three-point belts and bike racks.

www.route-one.net

Dumfries and Galloway Council has ordered three Alexander Dennis Enviro100EV battery-electric small buses.

They are due to join the local authority’s in-house DGC Buses operation in 2026 and are expected to be incorporated into the SWestrans fleet, forming part of the subsidised local bus network managed by that regional transport partnership.

The three examples for Dumfries and Galloway Council will be the first Enviro100EV buses to be built with three-point belts at all forward-facing seats as well as bike racks to support multimodal travel. They will suit both urban and rural services, giving the local authority flexibility to deploy them as needed.

Described as a “big small bus” by the manufacturer, the Enviro100EV is 8.5m long and 2.35m wide and provides 26 seats in a spacious interior. Those for Dumfries and Galloway will each have 354kWh of battery capacity, with drive taken via the Voith Electrical Drive System.

 

[voidwxrranty]

Thank you, I forgot to ask, is Stranraer now an outstation, or fully closed?

Stranraer is an outstation for the 58/60/358/360 now

 

[RELL6L]

With reference to the argument about the 359 a few posts up, there is a new timetable on the Dumfries & Galloway website as starting from next Monday. It shows the 15.40 from Newton Stewart going through to Girvan and back on Monday to Saturday. I don't know whether this is in response to the complaints.

Interestingly it also shows the first two M-F journeys inbound to Newton Stewart as running on all days, not just schooldays, but the outbound journeys to Glentrool and Girvan as being schooldays only. Unlikely - probably all schooldays only.

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/359%20Newton%20Stewart%20to%20Girvan%20-%20Amended%20Timetable%2010.10.2025.pdf

 

[PG]

Thanks for the update @RELL6L

Hopefully this whole tendering fiasco exercise serves as a stark warning for other councils - be very sure that you know what you are doing before pi**ing-off upsetting the main operator in your area!

 

[overthewater]

More minor changes are on the way,.

* Stagecoach are to withdraw No 80 Annan Town service : https://bustimes.org/registrations/PC0002407/253
* Minor changes to the No79: https://bustimes.org/registrations/PC0002407/71

Stagecoach to drop further services in Dumfries and Galloway

The company says the number 80 town service in Annan and 579 school service from Gretna to Annan will end on 5 January.

www.bbc.co.uk

Efforts are being made to find alternative provision after bus firm Stagecoach revealed plans to drop two of its last remaining services in Dumfries and Galloway.

The company kept only a handful of routes in the region following a dispute over new contracts which saw other operators take over most services in August.

Now it has confirmed that its number 80 town service in Annan and 579 school service from Gretna to Annan will end on 5 January as passenger numbers are too low to cover running costs.

The region's transport partnership SWestrans said talks were at an advanced stage on a replacement service. Stagecoach effectively pulled out of Dumfries and Galloway earlier this year leaving only a tiny number of remaining services.

Confirming the changes, the company said: "These routes are no longer commercially viable, with passenger numbers insufficient to cover operating costs.

"Withdrawing a service is never a decision we take lightly and we're sorry that we are unable to continue running these routes.

"We have provided advance notice of this difficult decision to Dumfries and Galloway Council."

It said arrangements were being made for alternative services for school children while fare-paying customers could continue to travel on the 79 service on the same route.

SWestrans said it was aware of local concern about the withdrawal of the services and was "actively working" to maintain it.

It said discussions were at an advanced stage with Annandale Community Transport Services (ACTS) on a potential replacement service.

The company added that schoolchildren travelling on the 579 from Gretna to Annan would be reallocated to alternative transport services and parents would be contacted in due course.

It thanked the community for its patience while it worked to "keep the community connected".

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Dec 2025 ==

#########################

New Community Bus Services for Annandale Area | Dumfries and Galloway Council

Regional transport partnership SWestrans has confirmed that from 5 January 2026, Annandale Community Transport Services (ACTS) will continue operation of the 80 Annan town service, to maintain local connectivity following the withdrawal of the service currently operated by Stagecoach Cumbria and...

www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk

Regional transport partnership SWestrans has confirmed that from 5 January 2026, Annandale Community Transport Services (ACTS) will continue operation of the 80 Annan town service, to maintain local connectivity following the withdrawal of the service currently operated by Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire.

The service will initially operate on weekday mornings, and ACTS will explore additional funding opportunities to extend the hours of operation in future.

In addition to the Annan service, ACTS will also introduce a morning service from Moffat and Beattock to Dumfries, following the withdrawal of the previous Stagecoach West Scotland-operated 74 service. This service will operate Monday to Friday, restoring an important early-morning commuter service to Dumfries.

School pupils travelling on the 579 service operated by Stagecoach between Gretna and Annan, which will also be withdrawn on 5 January, have been reallocated to alternative services.

So that another gap filled, AKA morning peak from Moffat to Dumfries. However since it's been 5 months I doubt any of the regulars are still around.

 

[overthewater]

It seems a few more changes are coming in from next Monday, Has anyone else spotted any other changes coming in January?

McCalls Coaches | Lockerbie

McCalls Coaches, Lockerbie. 8,144 likes · 369 talking about this · 9 were here. McCalls Coaches is based in Lockerbie. The family run business has been established since 1997.

www.facebook.com

LOCAL BUS SERVICES UPDATE
Please see changes to the following services commencing on Monday 12th January 2026;

117 Lockerbie to Hightae.​

501 Dumfries to Kirkcudbright.​

502 Castle Douglas to Kirkcudbright.​

Polite notice; these are changes we have been requested by members of the public.

 

[Bedford OB]

It seems a few more changes are coming in from next Monday, Has anyone else spotted any other changes coming in January?

There are a number of changes coming. From 5 January - revised Anderson 123; new Annandale CT 74 (morning bus from Moffat), also 80 to replace Stagecoach NW; revised Telfords 120.
From 12 January - the McCalls changes as per the link in your post.
Houstons 5 was altered from 28 December with the Sunday service extended to Kingholm Quay.
I was in Dumfries on 31 December - Houstons and McCall's buses all seemed to be doing quite well.

 

[CMBS]

I'm not local to here but is anyone else having issues with boarding Houstons' services?

I attempted to board the 382 and it just skipped the stop like there was nobody there

Same issue with the 379 terminating at Annan, didn't even open doors to let anyone on

My guess is that this is a common issue since all of the passengers were waiting for the 20 minutes later 79 and most passengers only went to Gretna which the 379 makes that exact same journey

 

[markymark2000]

I'm not local to here but is anyone else having issues with boarding Houstons' services?

I was up there a few weeks ago and got on 8 Houstons buses and has no issues with boarding. The issues that I found with Houstons was the fares were astronomical and at times, illogical with no day tickets available (so you can't save money). For example, it costs more to get from Lockerbie to Annan than it does to get to Carlisle. Comments I overheard too were that between Castle Douglas and Dumfries the price is different whether you get on the 500 or 502 despite them being the exact same route.