TIMETABLES are set to change for under-pressure First in a move that is said to improve the reliability of Clacks bus services.

First Bus has set out a number of changes to the 51/52 service, in place from August 15, having come under fire over frequent cancellations in the past months.

The 51 service will be affected by the changes with a service between Stirling and Alloa to operate every 30 minutes.

Connecting services between Alloa and Clackmannan will be provided by a separate 51 shuttle and Tesco in Alloa will be serviced by the shuttle in one direction, Alloa to Clackmannan.

Evening and Sunday services will remain unchanged and so will departures from Stirling.

However, daytime departures from Alloa to Stirling will be revised to provide connections to the 51 service.

Also, connections at Shillinghill between the 51 and 52 services and vice versa will continue without the need to transfer, as the same bus will operate the connection.

First Bus explained this means customers will be able to travel seamlessly between Menstrie, Alva and Tillicoultry to Alloa and Tullibody.

All trips will therefore have connections between the two services whereas previously, only half of journeys offered a connection.

MSP Keith Brown received a letter from the company detailing the changes and is seeking residents' views.

He said: “I’m pleased that efforts are being made to help ensure local people benefit from a reliable and sustainable mode of transport, however it’s important to me that the voices of local people are heard in matters like these.

“I am therefore encouraging local people – particularly those who use the bus regularly for things like getting to work or regular appointments – to have a look at the timetable First Bus is proposing and let me know your views.

“If you think the bus operator needs to make changes, let me know.”

Last month, First Bus came under fire when Clacks councillors spoke of the misery frequent cancellations, amid an industry-wide drivers' shortage, have been causing for residents.

Duncan Cameron, managing director for First Bus Scotland, said at the time that an action plan was put in place to redeploy drivers and he hoped customers will experience an improvement.

Visit bit.ly/3IPfsKj to see the timetable changes.