RESIDENTS in rural Stirling will soon see more transport options thanks to a £140,000 project.

The scheme from Stirling Council promises new shopping and social bus services to remote areas, online transport booking and a youth programme to enable school pupils develop their own ideas on improving accessibility.

A new shopping bus will run on every first and third Saturday from Tyndrum, Killin, Lochearnhead and Balquidder to Stirling and back.

Between Stirling and Callander, a social bus will be introduced every Friday and Saturday and there will also be an early evening Friday and Saturday bus from Balfron, departing at 6.10pm.

It is hoped the new routes will be operational in December and will be delivered until the end of March next year to test the level of demand.

Pupils from Balfron and McLaren High Schools, working in conjunction with Young Scot, will also be given the opportunity to develop their own ideas to overcome transport barriers in rural Stirling via a Youth Innovation Solution project.

Convener of the Environment and Health Committee, Councillor Jim Thomson, said, “This package of measures was conceived after we held discussions with local communities, and is a great proactive response from the council to help residents who we know struggle because of poor transport links.

“The new bus services in particular will offer a fantastic way for rural residents to access a greater range of services, from employment to health care and social events.

“Residents will benefit through both improved access to current transport and an extension to the existing services as we expand the geographic coverage and scope of transport in rural Stirling.

“It is now up to residents to make the most of these supportive measures and prove that there is a demand for them to continue beyond the pilot period.”