First Bus will swing the axe at vital #31 service...
Suspended because of virus, Stewartfield service won’t return
Councillors in East Kilbride have slammed First Glasgow’s decision to axe the 31 service through Stewartfield.
Independent David Watson was part of the campaign to save the service seven years ago and has branded the latest decision as “totally unacceptable”.
Stewartfield Way was also identified as part of SLC’s active travel plans for a greener and more sustainable public transport network in conjunction with the dualling of a section of the road.
But if no bus service is in place many residents will be forced back into their cars fuelling the “climate emergency”.
Councillor Watson said: “I only found out First had withdrawn the service after asking the question following an enquiry from a constituent.
“It leaves Stewartfield without a bus service and removes a public transport link to Glasgow from East Kilbride.
“First Bus receives substantial sums of money and subsidies from the Scottish Government and they should be making sure that all communities have access to public transport.
“I will be raising this with South Lanarkshire Council, as only a few months ago SLC were promoting active travel plans as part of the proposals for Stewartfield Way.
“What is the purpose of these documents if they are to be ignored?
“As East Kilbride expands large areas of the town are being left with no or little public transport.
“Unless something is done individuals and in particular older and vulnerable individuals will become more and more isolated with no reasonable access to public transport.”
Councillor Watson added he intends to raise this issue with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and Transport Minister, Michael Matheson MSP.
And Tory councillor Ian Harrow also criticised the decision by the bus operator.
“This is quite unacceptable as it leaves the people of Stewartfield without any public transport either to the town centre or into Glasgow.
“This will affect residents, especially the elderly as not everyone in Stewartfield has a car and they rely on that bus for their transport needs.
“I have written to First
Glasgow outlining the arguments against this decision and asking them to think again.”
The news surrounding the demise of the 31 service comes as another bus service is set to be axed, affecting commuters in Strathaven.
The X1 from Hillhouse in Hamilton to Glasgow was suspended amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
But First Glasgow have confirmed is will be suspended permanently.
The service was only saved from the axe last October after a petition against the closure of the route secured nearly 5000 signatures.
While the service doesn’t pass through Strathaven, many residents catch the bus in Hamilton and are dismayed it has been cut once again.
Jenni Pirrett, who runs the Strathaven public transport Facebook page said: “I know lot people in Strathaven use the service for work, shopping or educational purposes.
“It’s ridiculous getting rid of it. I use it myself it’s a fantastic service and I am going to be lost without it.
“First said it’s never busy which is absolutely not true.
“It’s always busy for work commuters and students as it passes Strathclyde University in Glasgow.
“It is going to be a big loss for a lot of people.
“We have had to fight to save this vital service before and we will do so again.”
Graham Simpson MSP has himself this week launched efforts to save the service also.