Stagecoach has announced new services and route extensions across Ayrshire starting in the new year.

Highlights of the new services include a route extension to University Hospital Ayr, and new evening services across local and express networks.

There will also be a new frequent bus service connecting beachfront residents to Ayr town centre, and improved reliability and punctuality across more than 40 services.

As part of the changes, the X77 between Ayr and Glasgow will increase to operate every 20 minutes and later 1am buses from Glasgow on Friday and Saturday night will be reintroduced.

Express services between Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Dumfries will also benefit from late night services.

Customers travelling locally will benefit from later bus services after 6pm and on a Sunday.

Timetable improvements include changes to...

Ayrshire services: 585/A, X36, 25, 18, 12, X77, X76, 14, 52, 42, 43, 43A, 321, 322, 323A, 324, 23, 28/A

Ayr local services: 1, 2, 6

Kilmarnock local services: 1, 1A, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10/110, 11, 50/76

Fiona Doherty, managing director at Stagecoach West Scotland, said: “We have worked to adjust our timetables to better meet the needs and travel habits of our customers.

"We know that some of our customers have experienced issues with reliability of our bus services, we hope that by making these small adjustments we can greatly improve our service delivery.

"We’re also increasing frequency and introducing evening services where we have seen demand.”

For full details and a copy of the new timetables, visit stagecoachbus.com.