FUNDING from the Scottish Government could save the "crucial" number 23 bus from the axe, according to a Wee County MSP.

MSP Keith Brown is calling on Stagecoach East Scotland bosses to access a share of £63million, announced this month to support bus operators in maintaining and increasing bus services.

In an earlier statement, the bus company said the service was under-performing even before the pandemic and increasing costs mean it is not commercially viable.

However, Mr Brown has last week sent a letter to Stagecoach East bosses, urging them to apply for funding.

The Clacks and Dunblane representative also called for a delay in the decision over the fate of the number 23 service until after the pandemic.

He said: "This additional funding from the Scottish Government is meant exactly to support bus services like the number 23 and I have asked Stagecoach East to explore the £63million fund for the bus sector to see if it can be accessed to support what is a crucial service for many in the constituency."

As previously reported, the bus company is proposing to axe the number 23 service between Stirling and St Andrews.

Politicians from all corners have come out against the proposals with the Scottish Greens recently launching a petition to save the service.

The route takes the service through the Hillfoots and also serves the more rural parts of Clackmannanshire – although buses have been absent amid the coronavirus crisis.

It is a key service for people in Dollar and beyond where public transport links have remained poor in the past years.

MSP Brown added: "I was very disappointed to learn of the decision to axe the route, which many rely on to get to work, access health service and visit friends and family.

"The Scottish Government has provided the bus sector with a substantial amount of support, which I expect Stagecoach to apply for.

"At a time when we are encouraging more people to use public transport, we should not be seeing bus companies cutting services.

"It is not enough to point to alternative routes that add significant hours and difficulties to journeys, services must be maintained and improved."

MSPs Alexander Stewart and Mark Ruskell have both previously called for the service to be saved from the chopping block.

A spokeswoman for Stagecoach East Scotland said: "The decision was made to withdraw service 23 as it was under-performing prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and increasing costs mean that this service operates at a significant loss, resulting in us no longer being able to commercially run the service.

"We have been in contact with the local authorities where this service operates and have shared passenger numbers to allow them to consider if they can provide an alternative service."