Stagecoach has extended the number 4 bus route to operate from the village, running through the Inveralmond Industrial Estate and along Dunkeld Road before serving Perth City Centre and ending at Perth Bus Station. The service will operate hourly, 7 days a week.

As part of the travel plan, residents moving into the new homes will receive a travel leaflet from Stagecoach containing detailed information on the new service in the hope that more people will choose to leave their car at home and try out the convenient public transport service.

The launch of the extended service 4 bus route was made possible by a partnership between Bertha Park’s housebuilder, Springfield, Perth & Kinross Council and Stagecoach.

Convener of environment & infrastructure committee, Councillor Angus Forbes, said: “I am pleased to see the introduction of the extended bus service to serve Bertha Park, and as the community continues to grow and expand it will undoubtedly see the benefit of the public transport links.

“Perth & Kinross Council is committed to supporting the delivery of sustainable and active travel options from new developments.

“We will continue to work in partnership with housebuilders and local communities in the future to ensure sustainable transport links are formed, wherever possible, to link new developments with Perth and the wider area. This is in line with the long term plans already set out in our bid for Sustrans Scotland’s Community Links PLUS.”

Douglas Robertson, managing director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to launch the extension of service 4 and provide new members of our community access to local public transport. With regular journeys, 7 days a week, the extension of the route also offers employment opportunities by serving Inveralmond Industrial Estate, SSE and Perth city centre plus great onwards connections throughout East Scotland. Our range of great value tickets means there’s something to suit everyone, from a Perth dayrider costing just £4 to weekly and 4 week Perth megarider tickets, ideal for commuters and valid throughout the Perth city boundaries.”

Springfield Properties, central managing director, Peter Matthews, said: “Bertha Park village is really taking shape. There are over 30 families living at Bertha Park already, the school will welcome its first pupils in August, and there will be six shops opening including a dentist, corner shop and a cafe.

“Travelling between Perth city centre and Bertha Park will be an essential daily activity for many, especially those travelling to work and pupils coming to school. The number 4 bus, which now stops in the heart of the village, gives people a convenient and greener way to get to and from town.

“Earlier this year the new road from Perth centre to Bertha Park opened making travelling into town easier. By the time the school is open, paths will connect the village to the new road giving staff, pupils and residents safer walking and cycle routes to the city centre.

“Bertha Park has been planned to have everything people need for daily life, and that includes good transport links. We welcome this latest travel option to the city centre, which is a milestone in the establishment of the village and its new community.”