Councillors and residents bid to reinstate bus service
RUCHAZIE residents have teamed up with their local councillors to try and reinstate a bus service to Easterhouse. First Bus recently adjusted the timetable of the number 38, which operated between the two areas, to stop at the Fort Shopping Centre.
Passengers now have to find a different bus to take them on the rest of their journey.
Concerns have been raised that altering the service is “increasing isolation” and many people can’t afford two different bus journeys.
Councillor Mandy Morgan has also pointed out that people from Easterhouse won’t have easy access to the Ruchazie food pantry when it opens.
She said: “A lot of elderly people use this service, but they are no longer able to travel from Ruchazie to Easterhouse and vice versa.”
A consultation was carried out by First Bus about the re-adjustment, but locals feel their feedback wasn’t taken into consideration.
Councillor Maureen Burke added: “I have had people from Craigend also telling me they feel completely isolated.
“The number of people accessing Easterhouse Health Centre has also dropped as a result.”
The Ruchazie Community Council has approached Stagecoach and asked if they will fill the void in this service.
Chairwoman Denise McGuigan said: “People who used to be able to get a return on the bus are now having to pay more for a day pass so they can board another service.
“We are hoping to have a positive meeting with Stagecoach to discuss adding this route to their X19 service.”
A spokesman for
Stagecoach
West Scotland: “We always listen to local communities about any suggestions they may have. We will meet with councillors Burke and Morgan to hear about any sustainable ideas they have.”
Councillor Ruairi Kelly is calling on bus operators to put the needs of Glasgow citizens first.
He added: “The Scottish Government is investing £500million in bus infrastructure and Glasgow
City Council is doing its part to encourage more public transport use to address the climate emergency.
“In return the residents of some of the most deprived areas are having bus routes to health centres and the soon to be open pantry ripped from their communities. ”
Duncan Cameron, Operations Director for First Glasgow, said: “First Glasgow refute claims that alterations to the Service 38 has led to the people of Easterhouse being cut off.
“Despite this change, customers wishing to travel to Easterhouse have the option of 19 buses an hour to choose from including 11 buses an hour that connect from the Fort Shopping centre onwards to Easterhouse town centre.
“Ultimately, as a responsible operator in the midst of a climate emergency, it is our duty to reduce our emissions by limiting the number of journeys operated where the patronage is very low.”