A NEW bus service linking Gourock town centre with Inverclyde Royal Hospital is set to begin next month, following a campaign by the local community.
The return of the service will be particularly welcomed by people travelling from Dunoon and Cowal who have previously struggled to reach hospital appointments after the previous bus service was discontinued.
Gourock Community Council has confirmed that a new Service 540 will operate between Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Midton and Gourock Railway Station from Sunday, November 1.
The service will run from Monday to Saturday during the daytime until March 27, 2027.
On the news, a spokesperson for Dunoon Community Council said: “Dunoon Community Council welcomes any improvements in connectivity between Cowal and Inverclyde and we thank Inverclyde councillor Reynolds and Stuart McMillan MSP for working to achieve this.
“We have not yet been officially informed, but we are aware it’s a Monday to Saturday daytime service only from November to March, and its vital that the service is used otherwise it may be lost again. Once timetables are published we will be able to comment further, and will promote it on our own social media channels.”
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) has confirmed that funding has been secured, with the service funded through the Scottish Government’s Transport to Employment Programme for 2026/27.
As previously mentioned, the service will initially only operate for 21 weeks, but SPT said it was hoped the period would provide a ‘robust evidence base’ of passenger demand to potentially make the route commercially attractive enough for an operator to continue it beyond March 2027.
Any continuation after March will ultimately be a decision for a bus operator.
In a statement on social media, Gourock Community Council said: “There’s the chance to make it commercially attractive for 27/28 by ensuring it is well used.
“So spread the word so that as many as possible are aware of this new service and use it well. Evidence around demand is being gathered over those months.”
The community council also thanked SPT and McGill’s for their support, alongside local councillors and the area’s MSP.
The reinstatement of the route will provide a direct public transport link from Gourock Railway Station to Inverclyde Royal Hospital, offering an alternative for those who have previously faced difficulties completing the journey by public transport.
For Dunoon and Cowal residents travelling by ferry, the service could also make hospital appointments easier to reach by providing a connection from Gourock after arriving at the terminal.
However, its future beyond March 2027 will depend on demonstrating sufficient demand during the trial period.
