A CLACKS bus service will be cancelled next month despite the valiant efforts of users of the bus and politicians to stop the decision.

First Bus confirmed on Monday, December 20 that the X53 bus service, which serves areas of the Hillfoots including Dollar, Muckhart and Tillicoultry, will officially be cancelled on January 10, 2022.

The move could be a devastating blow to those who use the service and will make it much more difficult for people to travel to and from those areas.

It comes after weeks of efforts by local communities to save the service, with more than 500 people writing to First Bus asking them to reconsider their decision.

Meanwhile, just last week Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, led a debate in the Scottish Parliament calling for better protections for rural bus services.

In the debate he shared stories from his constituents who would be impacted by the withdrawal of the X53 service, including three generations of the same family who would struggle to support each other with childcare or get to work without the service, and a constituent who will be faced with a four-mile walk to his nearest bus stop.

Speaking after the news of the decision, Mr Ruskell said: "Like other campaigners across Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Kinross, I am disappointed to hear that First Bus are going ahead with the cancellation of the X53 in January 2022.

"The impact of losing the X53 is severe.

"We're talking about vulnerable people being further isolated from essential services, young people losing their independence, and people being forced to use private cars exactly at a time when we need to be reducing car kilometres.

"Perth and Kinross Council stepping in to provide a replacement route between Tillicoultry and Kinross is a faint silver lining.

"But it's clear that we're just papering over the cracks of a broken system.

"For too long, rural bus services have been particularly vulnerable to the boom and bust cycle of private bus operators.

"We need to change the way these services are run to ensure rural communities are no longer left behind."

The decision was confirmed by First Bus who cited lack of drivers as the main factor in the move.

A First Bus spokesperson said: "We can confirm that the planned suspension of service X53 will be going ahead with effect from January 10, 2022, as a direct result of continued driver establishment pressures on the business.

"Unfortunately, despite attempts to attract new drivers to the business, we simply don't have enough driving staff available to operate the service reliably."

However, Mr Ruskell believes the service can still be saved.

He added: "Right now, it's not too late for First Bus to change their mind and save the X53.

"I urge First Bus to step up to the plate and give rural communities across Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Kinross the service they deserve."