PASSENGER numbers on a West Fife bus link to Edinburgh Airport have increased by 34 per cent, according to its operator.

Stagecoach East Scotland reported that greater numbers of passengers are continuing to use the route year on year, which operates up to every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day from Halbeath Park and Ride, Inverkeithing railway station and Ferrytoll Park and Ride.

The service is the only direct public transport link from the Kingdom to the airport and the firm have also reported a higher number of passengers travelling to and from Glasgow since the frequency of services was boosted to every 15 minutes on June 5.

User numbers are up by four per cent and work to increase vehicle space at Ferrytoll was recently completed, with restrictions on parking for no more than seven days at a time also lifted.

Stagecoach are encouraging customers to use Ferrytoll to prevent potential overcrowding at Halbeath, which saw more than 1,000 motorists use its facilities on June 17.

Commercial director Douglas Robertson commented: "The extension of the bus turning circle and access arrangements made recently to Ferrytoll P&R have greatly improved the flow of traffic in the area. Lifting the seven day parking restriction at Ferrytoll will make it even easier for customers to plan transport for their summer holiday travel – it's easy and secure to leave the car in the multi-storey car park during their trip.

"As the summer holidays approach and we expect increased traffic on our roads, particularly during events such as the Royal Highland Show and the Edinburgh Festival, it's the ideal time to leave the car behind, benefit from bus lanes, easy journey connections and relax on our frequent bus and coach services.

"We've already noticed a five per cent increase in passenger numbers using our express services to Edinburgh, all of which stop at Ferrytoll P&R."