A DALGETY Bay commuter's delight at a round-the-clock bus service has turned to despair – after claiming there's nowhere to wait for her ride.

Eileen Ballard, of Parklands Crescent, often has to catch the Jet 747 in the wee hours to work at the Gyle in Edinburgh, and was initially pleased when Stagecoach recently announced the service would run 24 hours from August 15.

The 747 service currently runs from Halbeath park and ride to Edinburgh Airport, with stops at Inverkeithing rail station, Ferrytoll park and ride and the south exit of the Forth Road Bridge.

There are also three early-morning stops at Dunfermline bus station, Asda St Leonard's and Rosyth Crossroads.

However, Eileen has raised safety concerns, especially for women waiting alone in the wee hours.

Eileen said: “I was pleased when I heard the 747 would run all night – I thought it would be great for me as I sometimes have to get to work by 5am.

“I catch the bus from Ferrytoll but it doesn't open until 6am. So where are you supposed to wait for the bus in the middle of the night?

“I don't care where you wait along the route, it's not safe. If you are waiting alone for a bus that might be late, or not come at all, it can be quite intimidating.

“It's not so bad in the summer, but in the winter, you'll be standing out alone in the freezing cold. It's completely daft.

“I spoke to Stagecoach about it, but they said it was nothing to do with them – it's the council saying the park and ride has to be shut.

“I was told there is CCTV at the park and ride but that's a lot of good if you're being attacked.”

David Brown, Fife Council service manager for network management confirmed that Ferrytoll was a council facility with a partnership agreement with Stagecoach to staff it.

He said: “The building at Ferrytoll Park and Ride currently opens and closes in line with the first and last bus services.

“The 747 Edinburgh Airport bus service, which currently operates via Ferrytoll park and ride, will soon be extended to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“However, Stagecoach will reduce their staffing hours at Ferrytoll to between 6am and midnight Mon to Sat and 9am to 7pm on Sundays, all coming into effect from the next bus timetable changes on August 15.

“The car park and bus stances will continue to remain in operation at all times with the building being open and staffed during the times above.

“The park and ride site is lit and covered by CCTV with a dedicated bus boarding platform.

"It is worth noting that the other Fife Council bus stations in Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and Leven, as well as Halbeath park and ride, successfully operate in a similar manner with the building at each site being closed at some off-peak times."

When approached, Stagecoach did not comment on staffing at Ferrytoll.

Andrew Jarvis, Stagecoach East Scotland managing director, said: “The Stagecoach park and ride supervisors along with the heated waiting rooms and toilets will have revised hours: Monday to Saturday, 6am to midnight and Sunday 9am to 7pm.

“The car parks and covered waiting areas which are both well-lit and monitored by extensive CCTV will be open 24 hours a day to match the extended frequency of the Jet 747 service, providing easier access to our bus network at all times.”