A lack of demand has forced a previously popular St Andrews tourist bus off the road.
Stagecoach East Scotland has confirmed that the St Andrews Open Top Tour will not operate this year.
The announcement follows a review of last summer’s operation which saw limited demand for the tour.
The company has suggested the bus will still be seen in north east Fife, although this summer it will take a trip to the coast instead.
Although the open top will not run around the city, the bus will instead be found on the company’s Fife Coastliner 95 route, connecting St Andrews with Kingsbarns, Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans, Elie, Upper Largo, Lower Largo and Leven.
The once popular vehicle will join the existing fleet of distinctive branded double deck vehicles already on the route which runs hourly, every day of the week.
Open top journeys will be advertised in a new timetable guide, although may be substituted for a standard double deck bus when required.
For a number of years the open top tour bus has taken tourists around St Andrews’ many attractions with local driver Mike Reid providing commentary and a friendly welcome.
Over recent years there has been a noticeable change in demand with fewer tourists making use of the dedicated tour while at the same time an increased interest in the many tourist attractions along the coast.
Andrew Jarvis, the managing director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “While we are disappointed that the reduced passenger usage means it is no longer viable to operate the St Andrews open top tour, we are pleased to continue the tradition of operating our open top bus in St Andrews and extending it to the many tourist attractions and scenic locations in the East Neuk.
“We hope that this will appeal to both tourists and locals alike and encourage everyone to visit more of the great destinations that Fife offers.”
Details of the new open top bus journeys on route 95 will be available in due course.
