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Bus operator found after Stagecoach drops services

Stagecoach A stagecoach bus in its traditional blue and green and white coloursStagecoach
New operators took over most of Stagecoach's services in Dumfries and Galloway earlier this year

Efforts to find a new operator for bus services in a south of Scotland town have been successful.

Stagecoach revealed plans at the beginning of December to drop two of its last remaining services in Dumfries and Galloway serving Annan.

The company kept only a handful of routes in the region following a dispute over new contracts which saw other operators take over most services in August.

Now the region's transport partnership SWestrans has confirmed that Annandale Community Transport Services (ACTS) has agreed to take on the Annan town route.

From 5 January it will run the 80 town service and will also offer a morning 74 service between Moffat and Beattock to Dumfries.

SWestrans also confirmed that school pupils affected by the 579 Gretna to Annan withdrawal now have alternative transport.

Stagecoach said that the services were no longer commercially viable.

Council leader Stephen Thompson welcomed the news that the bus services would continue.

He said: "Officers have been working with ACTS on this over the last few weeks, and through a financial contribution from SWestrans they've been able to secure these services."