Fury as bus service axed
RESIDENTS of Kelvindale are furious their only direct bus service into the city centre is to be halted.
And they have accused bus operator First of failing to consult them on plans to cut the service.
The community council found out about the change only when a concerned resident spotted it on the bus company’s website.
It says that from October 23, the 4A service will terminate at Broomhill and will no longer serve Kelvindale, Anniesland and Knightswood.
Instead a new service M4 will be introduced to replace the section of route between Kelvindale and Anniesland.
But Kelvindale community council says the move will hit many residents, particularly the elderly and infirm.
Secretary Ken Windsor said: “The route of the 4A bus through Cleveden Road is our only direct route into the city centre.
“It takes in Cleveden Secondary School, the commercial and social area of Byres Road and the university.
“It is also our only direct route to Hyndland Road which is a hub for shopping facilities and also the l ocation of two main doctors’ surgeries which serve the Kelvindale community.”
He pointed out that the area has an increasing elderly population which relies on the bus
He added: “Cleveden Road is the main spur access road into Kelvindale and is itself a long and progressive hill not conducive to such an aged population deprived of public transport facilities.
“A whole chunk of the community will be without a direct bus service into the city centre.” Mr Windsor said passengers who want to go into the city centre will have to change buses at Anniesland.
He added: “This would involve alighting and crossing busy Great Western Road, then waiting at the Anniesland bus stop which is itself a total disgrace.
“The bus stop shares the pavement not only with passing pedestrians but also with entrances to local shops, including t wo pharmacies.
“In wet weather it is also impossible to stand at the stop as the pavement is always three quarters flooded. ”
An action plan will now be drawn up and Mr Windsor says the community council will do everything in its powers to fight the closure.
He added: “We are totally unhappy we were not consulted before this decision was taken.”
A First Glasgow spokesman said: “We can confirm we will be making changes. As a commercial operator we cannot afford to run buses where there is insufficient.demand.
“However, despite the low demand, I am pleased that we have arrived at a solution which maintains regular services from Kelvindale.”