Why Moving Stories Exists

Across Dumfries and Galloway, a programme of transport improvements is underway to support more “joined-up journeys” across the region. Dumfries and Galloway Council is delivering a £15.6 million programme to make greener transport more accessible, strengthen the existing transport network, and improve the passenger experience through.

What are Multi-Modal Transport Hubs?

Making it easier to switch between walking, cycling, buses and electric vehicles.

Hubs are designed to support everyday journeys — travelling to work, school or college, visiting local shops, attending medical appointments, meeting friends or family — as well as longer, less frequent trips. They also support tourism visits. They are intended for everyday use by local people, not only for specialist or leisure users.

What’s Included Across the Hub Network

The Hub network as a whole provides a range of facilities to support joined-up journeys across the region.

Features available across the hub network (Details of facilities will vary by location) include:

• E-bike hire and charging
• EV car club vehicles
• Public EV charge points
• Secure cycle storage
• Cycle repair stations
• Bus waiting areas at some hubs provide covered and comfortable spaces to wait with real-time passenger information
• Integration with rail at Annan, Sanquhar and Stranraer
• Bike and dog wash facilities at selected hubs
• Public toilets at Stranraer

Why This Matters

• Improved connectivity and joined-up journeys
• Every day use by local people
• Economic and environmental benefits for communities

How will Hubs help real-life journeys?

• You will be able to hire an e-bike, charge an e-bike or park your own bike at a hub in a secure locker or rack outside (when available)
• You will be able to wash your bike or dog using the provided wash facilities (where available)
• You will be able to hire an EV or charge your own at more places. Bus waiting areas at some hubs will provide a covered and comfortable place to wait for a bus. At Stranraer, only you will be able to use the public toilets in the hub while waiting for a bus.

What are the Bus Improvements?

Joined-up improvements coming across the network. New electric buses, real-time information and better facilities will make public transport more reliable, accessible and sustainable.

What’s included:

• New electric buses
• Charging infrastructure
• Bus stop upgrades
• Real-time passenger information at 100 bus stops
• New Electric buses able to carry bikes

Why This Matters

• Buses are a transport lifeline in communities, particularly for people without access to a private vehicle
• Passenger experience is improved
• Planning journeys is easier and more convenient
• Expanded choice for extending and joining up journeys
• Electric bus travel will be quieter and emission-free
• Bus travel reduces congestion and pollution and contributes to Net Zero ambitions

How will bus improvements help real-life journeys?

• You will have a better passenger experience on the buses, with new e-buses which are quieter and emission-free
• As well as the new bus waiting areas at some hubs, real time passenger information at 100 bus stops will make planning journeys easier and more convenient
• You will be able to take a hired e-bike or your own bike on the new e-buses to extend your journey

What are Cycle Infrastructure Improvements?

Supporting everyday journeys and leisure use.

These improvements strengthen local connections while also supporting visitor travel and boosting the regional economy, with enhancements to the Kirkpatrick Coast to Coast long-distance cycle route boosting the visitor economy through leisure and everyday use and completion of the final part of the Keir–Penpont–Thornhill active travel path supporting everyday journeys.

What’s included:

• Enhancements to the Kirkpatrick Coast to Coast long-distance cycle route
• Funding the final phase of the Keir, Penpont to Thornhill active travel path

Why This Matters

• Everyday journeys and leisure use
• Tourism potential and local business benefits
• Community-led delivery (including KPTDT involvement)
• Integration with hubs and bus services, including opportunities for e-bike hire and taking bikes on E-buses to support joined-up journeys

Programme Locations

The programme is being delivered in:

• Annan
• Castle Douglas
• Dalbeattie
• Gatehouse of Fleet
• Langholm
• Newton Stewart
• Sanquhar
• Stranraer
• Whithorn

This programme strengthens the region’s transport infrastructure and creates new opportunities for joined-up journeys. Moving Stories responds by bringing these changes into public view — highlighting real-life journeys and supporting greater awareness, confidence and participation in active and sustainable travel across Dumfries and Galloway