Residents in bid to save bus link
CLAIMS that passenger numbers have dropped on a bus service connecting a Glasgow village to East Kilbride is premature according to residents.
Earlier this week First Bus announced the 31 service, which is suspended after Carmunnock Village, will not be returning as there is not a big enough demand for the route.
Campaigners challenging First Bus to reverse the decision say that people in the village are more likely to travel to East Kilbride for work, school and shopping than Glasgow city centre.
Next week they will launch a second petition to save the service so people who don’t have access to the internet can join their campaign.
John Lawless, chairman of the Carmunnock Community Council, said: “Many people rely on that service to go to work, college or school in East Kilbride because we are closer to East Kilbride than we are Glasgow City Centre.
“First Bus say the figures are low, but people haven’t been using the service due to coronavirus. They have not looked at re-routing an exciting service which would benefit the people in Carmunnock.
“We are going to build on the petition we have going on via change.org. The elderly residents want to sign something concrete and we will put leaflets through the door as well. We hope to get that ready next week.”
Lisa Thomson, a single mum who lives in the village, relies on the number 31 for shopping and recreation in East Kilbride.
She said: “My daughter is sevenyears-old and I take her to East Kilbride shopping centre regularly. We prefer going there over Glasgow because it is indoors with a cinema, restaurants, and an ice rink.
“I am training to be a mental health nurse and was planning on working at Hairmyres Hospital and get there via the number 31. That will be harder to do now.
“It is frustrating. I understand it was a quiet bus, but it was the only service available. They should operate a Sunday service at least.
Graeme Macfarlan, commercial director for First Glasgow, said: “Like many other companies throughout the world, First Glasgow has been impacted by the pandemic and are facing one of the most challenging and unprecedented periods ever.
“We have tried to react quickly to the challenges presented throughout the pandemic with innovation as well as the safety of our staff and customers being at the forefront.
“The section of service 31 between Glasgow and Carmunnock will continue to operate, but the currently suspended section of route beyond Carmunnock Village and East Kilbride via Stewartfield, unfortunately will not be returning. This part of the route had very low passenger numbers for a long time prior to the pandemic.
“Given the catastrophic effects of the coronavirus pandemic on passenger volumes and the requirement for social distancing reducing the ability to carry the passenger volumes needed, means it’s simply no longer viable.
“So it is with regret that we have to make the difficult decision to permanently withdraw it as the cost of operating against such a low demand for the service in this area pre-pandemic simply do not support the continuation of this section of the route.”