CUMNOCK residents will have to fork out more cash to travel now that Stagecoach have increased their prices.

Customers will have to hand over an extra 10p as part of a wider fare review.

The bus giant insists the cash will go directly to improving local services but when asked if it could go towards bringing back vital services like the X76 they could not confirm.

This means it could become even harder for residents to keep links outside the town after the ‘life-changing’ service was axed last year.

The loss of the direct route from Cumnock to Glasgow was a major blow to the area leaving residents feeling stranded and some struggling to connect with family who moved out of the town.

Cumnock currently does not have a train station and those who can’t drive heavily rely on public transport to travel in and out of the town.

Concerned residents have also blasted the decision for putting people off moving to Cumnock and claim without the direct link to the city centre there’s a massive strain on the local economy.

But despite a online petition that has raked up more than 500 signatures and the Cumnock Chronicle’s Bring Back Our Bus campaign Stagecoach insist there is not a demand for the bus to return.

A spokesperson said: “From May 5, 2019, Stagecoach West Scotland single bus fares will increase by 10p as we look to improve and upgrade our services.

“All other fares including returns, dayrider and megarider bus tickets across our Ayrshire, Arran and Glasgow networks will remain at their current prices.

“Stagecoach operate a fleet of 395 buses and have made major investment introducing new buses in local areas, all of which are fully accessible and meet the latest Euro emission standards. During 2018 further investment was made to introduce contactless payment systems throughout West Scotland.

“We want to provide customers with the best value travel we can while also ensuring we are able to continue operating a stable bus network over the longer term.

“We do our absolute best to keep prices as low as possible as we continue to face rising costs and reduced public sector investment in buses.”