Calls for SPT to step in to help

East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani is calling for Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) to step in to help safeguard a bus service through Stewartfield.

She said First Glasgow’s decision to permanently cut the 31 from Carmunnock village to East Kilbride was “unacceptable”.

“SPT must now consider stepping in to plug the gap in service,” she said.

“Additionally, South Lanarkshire must have a look at the recent Transport Act which gives local authorities the power to introduce transport services.

“Given there is no bus route for Mavor Avenue, Law Roundabout and parts of the Village, we should look at every opportunity to create a better service for these areas whilst doing our bit during the climate emergency.

“We should be making it more attractive for people to use public transport rather than relying on their car.”

Ms Fabiani has already written to chief executive of South Lanarkshire Council urging the local authority to ensure residents in Stewartfield have a viable bus service.

Writing to Cleland Sneddon, she said:“This leaves commuters in Stewartfield without a bus service and has been the subject of much concern amongst those who rely on public transport to get to and from work.

“This does not bode well for the council and government’s ongoing commitment to green transport options to tackle the climate emergency.

“I am keen to understand what assistance SLC can provide to ensure Stewartfield residents are not disadvantaged because of the decision by First Bus.

“It does, I believe, offer the council real opportunity to be ambitious, to encourage the use of reliable public transport and to move towards positioning East Kilbride as a carbon-free town.” AndTory MSP Graham Simpson, who previously led a successful campaign during his time as a councillor, said: “I ran a massive campaign several years ago when the 31 was at risk of being axed.

“It was clear the people of Stewartfield value it and wanted it to stay – and nothing has changed.

“It is the only bus that serves the area and it’s vital it remains.

“Stewartfield needs better transport links not worse.

“I will be contacting First Glasgow and working with other politicians in the town to save this vital service.”

Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “I support the petition spearheaded by my colleagues Councillors Joe Fagan Monique McAdams.

“Our communities have lost so much during lockdown and cutting vital bus services is another bitter blow that our communities don’t deserve. It’s bad for the economy, bad for the environment and bad for community life.

“Bus operators like First Glasgow get substantial sums of taxpayers money and the Scottish Government should be linking this funding to service retention. We must make a stand against the axing of local routes like the 31.”

A spokesman for SLC said: “Although financial support has been provided by the Scottish Government, we are aware that there have been changes to a number of services.

“We will continue to liaise with the bus operators, as well as SPT and Transport Scotland, to support them through this challenging time, and to work to ensure South Lanarkshire has appropriate public transport in place.”

Green Camapigner Kirsten Robb was involved in the previous efforts to save the 31 service.

She told us this week: “In the short term, First must reverse this decision or people will be left stranded.

“But to build the first class public transport system people deserve, private bus companies like First need to be regulated to deliver these lifeline services.

“Thanks to Green MSPs, councils can also now run bus services themselves so South Lanarkshire Council should now explore running a truly decent public transport system to service East Kilbride.”