The first attempt in years to overhaul bus travel across Dumbarton and the Vale has earned a mixed reaction.

With fares rising and passenger numbers declining, the Scottish Government said the Parking and Transport (Scotland) Bill will give “flexibility” to local authorities and Strathclyde Passenger Transport to “improve bus services through partnership working with operators or, where there is a good case for doing so, local franchising or running services themselves”.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “This government will not stand by as bus passenger numbers decline.”

But in areas of high deprivation across West Dunbartonshire, the level of services and their costs are the main concern.

Clair Coyle, trustee with West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare, said: “We do have people say if they missed the foodbank in their area, they just don’t have money for the fare to another centre.

“If it was local authority run, then there would be more chance to negotiate or discuss ways to work with families in deprivation.”

Resident Andy Holms told us he’d like to see the scrapping of “peak/off peak rates on travel”.

He said: “It should be one price no matter what time you get the bus. First [Buses] should also bring back return journey tickets. Passengers shouldn’t have to pay more for an all day ticket if they are only making two separate journeys on the bus.”

West Dunbartonshire councillors offered a mixed reaction to the legislation.

Council leader Jonathan McColl told the Reporter: “This is an extremely complex issue that the council will have to take time to consider in full, but I welcome any proposals that provide councils with flexibility to meet local needs.

“We will have to look at issues of best value, equality and consult with our communities.”

Leven councillor Jim Bollan said the bill wasn’t radical enough and should have brought all bus services into public ownership.

He said: “Arising out of the bill though I would like to see WDC operating a local public bus service across the council area, not just to meet social needs.

“Publicly owned and designed with input from local people a local, not for profit, bus service would be a great boost for local people and the economy.”

Dumbarton councillor David McBride added: “The bill will only allow local authorities to run bus services in very restricted circumstances where there is no private provider and the legislation would not allow any public sector bids for bus franchises.

“In practice, the legislation would only allow public control of the routes that private providers deem unprofitable, leaving local councils to pick up the pieces and all the losses going forward.”

There have long been calls for local authorities to take back the running of buses, particularly to reduce fares.

Fares for Lothian Buses, run by Edinburgh City Council, have been cited as an example. But costs are now broadly similar. An adult day ticket on Lothian Buses is £4 for an adult with a single costing £1.70. First Glasgow charges £3.40 for travel within Dumbarton and Alexandria zones, and £4.50 within Glasgow. A single local journey is £1.60. Jobseekers can get tickets for £1.