A BUS service which was named the best in Scotland less than a year ago has been hit with complaints after it raised the cost of travelling from outlying villages by more than 60 per cent.

The 113 service, which runs from Pencaitland to the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, received top accolades at the Scottish Transport Awards last year, when it was run under Lothian Country Buses.

However, the service transferred to the new East Coast Buses company on Monday. Although both companies are owned by Lothian Buses, the fare from Ormiston and Pencaitland into Tranent rose from £1.60 to £2.60.

East Lothian MSP Iain Gray said he had written to the bus company raising his concerns at a “step backwards” in the quality of the service. He said: “I have been very supportive of [Lothian Buses’] efforts, because they have been willing to invest in local services and expand them.

“It is a great pity that the decision to integrate Lothian Country Buses into the East Coast network appears to have been a step backwards for passengers in Pencaitland, Ormiston and Tranent.”

Mr Gray said he was aware, after the 113 extended its route to West Granton, about concerns over it becoming full of passengers travelling in Edinburgh itself, leaving no space for people who were trying to return to East Lothian.

He added: “The biggest issue, though, is what is happening to fares. A ticket from Ormiston or Pencaitland to Tranent would appear to have shot up from £1.60 to £2.60, daily tickets have also increased, and there is much confusion about what is happening to monthly tickets. I have asked Lothian for clarity, and hopefully some relief for bus passengers in Ormiston and Pencaitland who, after all, do not have any other public transport options.”

Ruth Currie and Tom Trotter, SNP candidates for East Lothian Council’s elections, also raised concerns after residents spoke of their anger at the price rise.

And they said that, while the service still stopped outside the Western General Hospital, it no longer circled the large complex.

Mrs Currie said: “Residents in Ormiston and Pencaitland have told us that they value the bus service to their villages, particularly as the 113 offered a direct route to the Western General. To have this cut has served a bitter blow to both communities.

Mr Trotter added: “It is extremely worrying that Lothian Buses has seen fit to increase the fare by £1 per journey. This price hike has been imposed on residents who are also getting a service cut.”

Lothian Buses insisted claims it had cut the service to the hospital were not true and it said the price increase brought the 113 in line with East Coast Buses pricing.

A spokesperson said: “Following an extensive network review designed to increase connectivity and provide further opportunities for travel by bus, our service 113 continues to provide a direct link to the Western General Hospital and now extends to serve Edinburgh College at West Granton.

“In addition, our recent investment of over £3m in a brand new fleet of specially designed buses for the comfort of our East Lothian customers further demonstrates our commitment to significantly improving bus services for residents of and visitors to the county.”