We always depended on the bus to take us where we had to go

An elderly resident in Kirkshaws is highlighting the “absolute disgrace” of the withdrawal of a vital bus service previously covering the area.

The Advertiser told in August how First Bus was ceasing its service two route, which connected Airdrie, Coatbridge and Bargeddie and was the only direct link from Monklands to Glasgow.

One woman says it has meant she and her husband, who has health problems, now have to pay for taxis to be able to attend medical appointments and go shopping – and that they and their elderly neighbours are otherwise “marooned in our homes”.

The pensioner, who wants to remain anonymous, said: “We have no car and always depended on the number two bus to take us where we had to go; doctor, optician and hospital appointments, and food to be carried home. Monkland Road area is poorly served and added: “It’s just not fair to have no buses that can take us anywhere.

“Now we have to get taxis to appointments or to collect our shopping, which costs almost £ 6 added on to whatever we have to buy; the little shops around us cost twice what we pay up the street.

“We cannot walk up the street or to Whifflet or Airdrie. Most of my neighbours are the same – we’re all now pensioners and are just too old to walk for miles.”

Hugh Gaffney MP is organising a public meeting on local transport provision next weekend; the event is taking place at the Safety Zone in Bargeddie at 4pm next Saturday, October 12.

The Coatbridge representative told the Advertiser: “It’s deeply disturbing secretary time and time again asking for him to do something about our local issues; my calls for a Scottish Government intervention about the lack of public transport have fallen on deaf ears.

“My Labour colleagues and I will be holding a public transport meeting to express our views as well as giving constituents a chance to have a conversation with us about the current state of the transport network.”

First Glasgow head of operations John Gorman said: “Service two was withdrawn between Airdrie and Baillieston as part of our most recent changes in August.

“Unfortunately, passenger demand has been declining for many years since the opening of the Whifflet rail line and other within Monklands, and they will continue to be served by service 201 between Whifflet, Coatbridge, Monklands Hospital and Airdrie, and the various services provided by other operators which already provide the main bus services in these areas.

“Full details on the alterations were communicated to customers and stakeholders well in advance of the changes.”

An spokesperson for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport told the Advertiser: “It is our understanding that the First Bus number two commercial service was partially replaced by the number 13 service operated by United Coaches.

“SPT has no powers or control over commercial bus services or when those services may be withdrawn.”