The biggest shake-up of Dunoon’s bus services for many years starts on 20 April as Argyll and Bute Council brings additional journeys to the town. 

Following a competitive tendering process, the local authority has awarded West Coast Motors a three year contract to provide council-funded local bus services in Bute and Cowal. This will include major changes to bus services in Dunoon which result from listening to the views of community representatives. 

Argyll and Bute Council Leader and Dunoon elected member, Councillor Dick Walsh, said: “I’m delighted that people can now take advantage of these new bus services. We’ve heard from communities across Cowal about the routes they feel are important, and we’ve taken their views on board as we look at how we can best deliver services. I would encourage people to support them as much as they possibly can.

“The new contract includes a number of changes including an hourly service between Toward and Ardentinny, serving ferry terminals and local attractions. We are also bringing back a Saturday morning journey from Strachur to Dunoon, among other enhanced services.

“Thanks to more efficient vehicles and a competitive quote from West Coast Motors, we are able to deliver these improved services at no cost to the council.”

The biggest change will see services 482/483 (Dunoon and Toward) and 485 (Dunoon and Ardentinny) replaced by a new 489 service running from Toward to Ardentinny every hour. This will create through journeys from Toward and Innellan to Western Ferries at Hunter’s Quay as well as Benmore Botanic Garden.

The loop currently operated by the 482/483 service round Dunoon serving Argyll Street, Ardenslate Road and Alexandra Parade will be taken up by service 80/480 – doubling in frequency from hourly to half-hourly.

The 80/480 journeys from Dunoon’s west end will no longer sit for 12 minutes at the ferry terminal but will carry straight on round the loop - giving better access from the west side of town to Cowal Community Hospital and Western Ferries.

Ardenslate Road will be served by three buses an hour to and from town.

There will also be a new journey on service 489 from Sandhaven at 7.26am Monday to Saturday which will provide a connection to the Argyll Ferries 7.50am sailing to Gourock.

The Saturday morning service from Strachur to Dunoon will also be reinstated (leaving at 7.58am). This is in response to representations from the community at Strachur following the withdrawal of the Saturday morning Carrick Castle to Dunoon service.

The new services start from Sunday 20 April and you will be able to find more detailed timetables online at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/timetable/bus