Eighteen elected representatives have signed a joint cross-party letter urging Stagecoach to postpone plans to withdraw the X56 bus service.
The cross‑party group, which includes Glenrothes and Mid Fife MP Richard Baker, Cowdenbeath MSP David Barratt and four Kelty councillors Alex Campbell (Labour), Bailey‑Lee Robb (SNP), Darren Watt (Independent) and Alie Bain (SNP), wants more time to find alternatives before the route is axed.
The X56 links Kelty with Halbeath Park & Ride and provides a direct connection to Perth and Edinburgh, which campaigners say is a vital link for work, education and access to services. Stagecoach announce the termination of the route earlier this month.
In their letter to the bus company's chief executive Claire Miles, the signatories express “profound concern” at the decision to withdraw the route and warn that the timescale for the changes has been “wholly insufficient”.
They argue that the X56 and related services are a “lifeline” for many communities and say the current plans would leave residents with fewer transport options and risk weakening connectivity, particularly in rural areas.
On Facebook, David Barratt said the “strength of feeling from local people has been overwhelming” and that Stagecoach had “simply not allowed enough time for councils, community transport providers and others to find practical alternatives”.
Former Conservative councillor, now independent, Darren Watt added: “The message from local people and communities is unequivocal: Stagecoach must reconsider its decision, engage meaningfully with all relevant stakeholders, and work towards an acceptable solution that meets the needs of the communities it serves.”
Richard Baker said “community blowback to this cut” – due to come into effect in just a few weeks – had been “overwhelming”.
He added: “Because this route is so important for students, workers and others, we have asked Stagecoach to pause this cut to allow councils and transport providers vital time to seek an alternative, practical solution.
"It’s not good enough for Stagecoach to simply walk away – communities deserve better – and a gesture on their part to pause this cut would go some way to proving they have listened.”
Cllr Bailey‑Lee Robb said: “Our collective ask is straightforward. Postpone the withdrawal and engage meaningfully with elected representatives, local authorities, transport partners and community organisations.
"The strength of feeling in Kelty and across the communities served by this route is clear.
"I will continue to push on this at every level until we have a satisfactory response from Stagecoach.”
The joint letter follows a packed public meeting in Kelty last week, where around 150 residents from along the X56 corridor turned out to oppose the cut.
Councillor Alex Campbell, who helped organise the meeting, said it was “critical” that politicians “put our politicalness aside and work together to create a community result”.
An online petition describing the route as a “lifeline” for non‑drivers, disabled passengers and families using it for nursery and school runs, has now passed more than 1,600 signatures.
The link is set to end on August 24.
Stagecoach has said the withdrawal is a commercial decision based on declining demand and that passengers will still have options via Halbeath Park & Ride and Scottish Citylink, while Fife Council says it has formally objected and is tendering a replacement link between Kelty and Halbeath to be in place before the service ends.
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