AN ONLINE event to discuss bus services in the Kingdom is due to take place later this month.

MSP Mark Ruskell, who represents Mid Scotland and Fife, has invited operators Stagecoach and McGills, as well as campaign groups and residents, to attend.

The Green politician said: "Every single person in Scotland deserves affordable, reliable and accessible public transport services regardless of where they live.

"Over the past year, we’ve seen transformational reforms in the bus sector, such as extending free bus travel to all young people under 22.

"We’ve also seen an unprecedented level of investment in the bus sector at a financially-challenging time for the Scottish Government.

"But, despite this, communities across Mid Scotland and Fife are still seeing chronic issues with local bus services, from last-minute cancellations to complete service withdrawals.

"Bus companies are struggling with low passenger numbers and driver retention too."

Mr Ruskell has spoken out previously about issues with services in Fife, saying that communities had faced chronic service cancellations and route withdrawals.

"I hope to see folks from across the region and the bus companies join us for this important conversation on the future of bus services in Mid Scotland and Fife.

"The problems with Scotland’s bus network run deep, and it’s time to fix the problem at root."

The event will run from 6-8pm on Monday, November 28, and registration is available on Eventbrite.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Fife Council would step in to save bus routes which had been set to be slashed.

Last week, the Press reported that an elderly angina sufferer was forced to walk and hour-and-a-half from Touch to Abbeyview after her bus failed to turn up following timetable changes introduced on November 7.