Stagecoach in Fife and Fife Council today jointly launched an improved service between High Valleyfield and Dunfermline. Route 78 will operate up to every 15 minutes between High Valleyfield and Dunfermline. It is hoped that the enhanced service will provide essential access for High Valleyfield, an area of high unemployment of over twice the Scottish average, to employment opportunities.

Working with the Scottish Executive and Fife Council, Stagecoach is undertaking a three-year KickStart scheme on the route. Under the terms of this partnership, Stagecoach, Fife Council and the Scottish Executive have jointly committed £972,000 to the campaign, which aims to be completely self-financing within three years. This investment has included the purchase of 5 new state-of-the-art, easyACCESS low floor buses to accommodate the needs of the elderly and disabled, which accounts for 35 per cent of passengers on the route. The vehicles will also be distinctively branded and have the latest "green" environmentally friendly engines.

Robert Andrew, Deputy Managing Director, Stagecoach Scotland said: "This partnership provides improved service levels and new vehicles for passengers in Crossford, Cairneyhill, Torryburn, Newmills and High Valleyfield. In addition, we are increasing the service to Blairhall from 2 to 3 journeys each hour. The service will help tackle high unemployment in High Valleyfield with the extra journeys in the morning peak allowing improved access to major employers in Dunfermline."