STAGECOACH still insist there is no demand for a direct bus service from Cumnock to Glasgow - despite more than 500 people signing a petition begging to them to return the X76.

The bus company claims figures from surveys say most customers were not staying on the bus beyond Kilmarnock so introducing connections made more sense.

However, so far the bus company have yet to supply the Cumnock Chronicle with a copy of the full survey.

Stagecoach also claimed they have had no complaints since they revised the timetables in September last year about the connections or had anyone ask for the X76 to return since then turn of the year.

In recent weeks former users of the service have contacted the Chronicle telling us they struggle to see their families without the service and miss being easily connected to the central belt.

Some residents have blasted the decision to axe the service and want to know ‘why the bus was ever cut first place’.

Some people have taken to social media pages to insist the ‘life changing’ service was always busy and that there is still a large demand in the town to see it come back.

Stagecoach currently say they have nothing further to add regarding the axed service, but previously told the Chronicle: “In September 2018, passengers were given the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the changes to the X76 via a questionnaire.

“This was conducted over a period of two weeks to gather a fair representation of peak travel habits and off peak travel habits. Customers on board were asked if they travelled on the 76 or 50 service to Kilmarnock to then travel on board the X76 to Glasgow, 86 per cent customers on board who completed the survey stated that they did not use either the 76 or 50 service.

"In addition, the new X76 service received a weighted average of 4.23 out of 5 when asked to rate the service. This combined with the analysis carried out over a period of 18 months prior to the service changes confirms that a change of bus at Kilmarnock Bus Station remains the most appropriate service.”

There is currently no train station in Cumnock and the bus service requires getting a connection at Kilmarnock which some users have said is ‘unreliable’.

If you want the bus to return you should call 01563 525192 and let them know if you don’t find the connections satisfactory.