Stagecoach cancel St Andrews tour bus

The company announced its intention to stop operating the tour following a review of last summer’s operation which saw demand dwindle for the St Andrews Open Top Tour.

Although the open top will not run around the city, the company will run a tourist route to be found on the company’s Fife Coastliner 95 route, which connects St Andrews with Kingsbarns, Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans, Elie, Upper Largo, Lower Largo and Leven.

The bus will join the existing fleet of branded double deck vehicles already operating on the route which currently runs hourly, every day of the week.

Open top journeys will be advertised in a new timetable guide, although may be substituted for a standard double deck bus when required.

Started by Stagecoach in 2011 the Open Top Tour bus has taken tourists around St Andrew’s many attractions with local driver Mike Reid BEM at the helm, providing commentary and a friendly welcome.

Over recent years there has been a noticeable change in demand with less tourists making use of the dedicated tour while at the same time an increased interest in the many tourist attractions along the coast.

Andrew Jarvis, managing director, Stagecoach East Scotland said: “Whilst we are disappointed that the reduced passenger usage means it is no longer viable to operate the St Andrews Open Top Tour, we are pleased to continue the tradition of operating our open top bus in St Andrews and extending it to the many tourist attractions and scenic locations in the East Neuk.

“We hope that this will appeal to both tourists and locals alike and encourage everyone to visit more of the great destinations that Fife offers.”

Details of the new open top bus journeys and what to see and do in each location will be provided in a revised timetable guide leaflet, available in due course.