23 Stirling–St Andrews

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23
Overview
OperatorStagecoach East Scotland
Began service1930s
Ended service2020
Route
StartStirling
EndSt Andrews

The 23 was a bus service which ran from Stirling to St Andrews.

History[]

Operation[]

The route dated back to the 1930s, at which time it was numbered 298 and operated by W. Alexander & Sons between Buchanan bus station, Glasgow, and St Andrews. The service was later renumbered as 23. After the company was split in 1961 by its parent, the Scottish Bus Group, the service was operated by Alexander (Midland) and Alexander (Fife). In 1981, the route was shortened, with its eastern terminus now at Stirling.[1] However, some Glasgow to St Andrews journeys continued to operate on Friday and Saturday evenings primarily for the benefit of university students. Through privatisation of British bus services and subsequent ownership changes, the route was acquired by Fife Scottish, part of the Stagecoach group.[2]

Decline and withdrawal[]

Service levels were progessively reduced, with Stagecoach citing a "decrease in demand".[3] In 2017 only three return journeys ran per day.[2] The number 23 bus was withdrawn completely in 2020.[4][5][6] Stagecoach stated that it had been underperforming prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and that it was operating at "a significant loss". The withdrawal drew criticism from local MSPs.[7]

Aftermath[]

On 14 September 2020, First Scotland East introduced a new service numbered X53 which operates on the same route as the number 23, between Stirling and Kinross. It serves areas, notably Muckhart, that would otherwise have no bus service.[8] Residents in Gateside have complained about the loss of bus services to St Andrews.[9]

Alternative services[]

Today, the X24 service from Glasgow to St Andrews is significantly quicker than the number 23. However, it does not travel via Stirling or Kinross.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ "End of Empire Alexanders Split". Photo Transport. Archived from the original on 2021-05-08. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  2. ^ a b c Clapperton, Ian (2021-01-21). "Nine decades of the 23". Buses Magazine. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  3. ^ "Bus company says St Andrews bus route was '˜not viable'". Fife Today. 2016-08-06. Archived from the original on 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  4. ^ Cargill, Paul (2020-08-24). "Relief as replacement bus service for Kinross-shire is confirmed". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  5. ^ McNeill, Alastair (2020-07-31). "Passengers slam plans to cut Stirling to St Andrews bus service". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 2020-09-11. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  6. ^ Mahood, Craig (2020-08-10). "Bus stopped: Stirling MSP calls for Stagecoach rethink after Number 23 route axed". Brig Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  7. ^ "Stirling MSP joins calls to save bus service". Stirling News. 2020-08-11. Archived from the original on 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  8. ^ Bakonyi, Rajmund (2020-08-24). "First Bus to cover axed Hillfoots route with X53 new service". Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser. Archived from the original on 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  9. ^ Callaghan, Jamie (2020-11-24). "Fife village left isolated after 'lifeline' bus service axed". Fife Today. Archived from the original on 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
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