A PROPOSED ‘demand responsive’ Borders bus would restrict spontaneous trips, a meeting has heard.

Plans to improve the 93 Peebles to West Linton service were unveiled last month.

It has been suggested to have a mix between a fixed timetable – likely to be in the morning and evening – and a dial-a-bus scheme throughout the day.

At a meeting on Monday evening, a West Linton Community Council member said that the requirement to book a bus the day before removed the possibility of impulsive trips.

Members were told that, once an operator has bid for the tender and the bus is operational, tweaks may be possible and bookings taken the same day by communication with the driver.

The contract to operate the 93 service – currently held by Borders Buses – ends in April next year and tenders are out from Scottish Borders Council for a revised service.

Tweeddale West councillor Drummond Begg said: “This is to explore how you can encourage more people to use the bus service, but it is highly likely the morning and evening will be a fixed service.”

Bus campaigner Ian Reid said: “It is counterintuitive to what we are used to at present but from the position of people using the bus could lead to an increased service.”

Members were told buses might run later in the evening, until perhaps 9pm, but one said: “That’s not much use if you want to go to a show at the Eastgate Theatre.”

The council sees the current service as “under-utilised” and not “cost effective”.

In 2023, 7,911 passengers used the 93 – equating to £3,053 in fares and £31,716 in concessions income.

The dial-a-bus suggestion is similar to the Pingo scheme, run by Borders Buses in Berwickshire.

Passengers would be able to book the ‘taxi bus’ to get them to a particular place or to link in with another bus service.