Changes to three bus routes in Oban, Lorn and the Isles will come into effect on Sunday 10 July 2011. The 405 service Oban and Appin, the 431 service Oban and Gallachmore and the 403 service Oban and Dalmally are all affected. The routes are all funded by Argyll and Bute Council and operated by West Coast Motors.

On schooldays the 0845 journey leaving from Dalnabeich on the 405 service and the 1410 journey leaving from Oban’s Glengallan Road will now terminate at Barcaldine instead of Creagan Bridge. Similarly, on schooldays the 0923 and 1507 departures from Creagan Bridge will now start from Barcaldine. Cutting back these two journeys will save £2,927.12 a year. Other Council funded journeys serve the area on schooldays at school times. The area is also served by journeys operated by West Coast Motors service 918 between Oban and Fort William.

The twice a day 431 seasonal service operating from May to September between Oban and Gallanachmore serving the Kerrera Ferry will be withdrawn. The route will continue to be served on schooldays at school times. This service provided a link to the Gallanachmore Camp Site as well as providing a link with the island of Kerrera which is popular with walkers. Cancellation of this service will save £5,627.64 a year.

The 403 service Tuesdays only journey at 0905 from Dalmally to Oban will be withdrawn. Alternative services are available by rail, Citylink coach and on schooldays by buses at school times. The journey which is being withdrawn offered a more convenient time for travelling to Oban and the small number of regular passengers who used this journey will either have to travel earlier if they wish to use the school journey or later if they wish to use Citylink or the train service. Withdrawing this service will save £7,657.62 a year.

Transport Spokesman Councillor Duncan MacIntyre said “I’m sorry these services have been reduced and withdrawn. There were some difficult decisions to make on how to make savings on public transport in Argyll and Bute. I’d encourage people to look at the council’s website to make a note of the changes.” 

After the School and Public Transport Review and savings agreed by the Council in February 2011 the transport budgets were reduced from £726,035 to £275,000. The decision on which council supported bus services would no longer be funded was made by the Council’s Executive in April.

Timetables at bus stop information panels on the council’s website,www.argyll-bute.gov.uk , will be updated as soon as possible. Up to date information is also available from Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.