McGills withdraw Shortroods night service
Bus bosses have decided they will put the brakes on a vital service at night after gangs repeatedly targeted drivers with missiles.
McGill’s is axing its No. 757 stop in Shortroods because yobs are pelting coaches with rocks.
Drivers have been told to stop the only public transport service to the scheme due to safety fears after another window was smashed.
We reavealed in yesterday’s Express that bosses were considering action due to driver and passenger safety.
Now Ralph Roberts, McGill’s managing director, insists buses will no longer visit the area after 6pm.
He said: “I now have no alternative but to withdraw our buses from the area after dark, to protect our employees and passengers.
“I apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause.
I have no alternative but to withdraw our buses Ralph Roberts
“This is a societal problem, where mindless idiots feel it is acceptable to throw bricks at people on a moving bus.
“It is high time that bus companies and bus passengers got adequate protection from the law.
“Too often, local police portray this as vandalism, but it is way beyond that.
“A thug throwing a brick at a young mother walking along the street with a pram would not be called vandalism – why is it any different because she is on a bus?
“These thugs do no good to Paisley’s attempt to secure the 2021 City of Culture nomination and it is high time this kind of thuggery was stamped out.”
The operator was forced to suspend journeys into the area four times in just a fortnight after buses were damaged.
Bosses say it will cost more than £20,000 to carry out repairs, while drivers, passengers and other motorists have been put at risk.
Police Scotland insists “extra patrols” have been put in place.
Inspector Tracy Harkins, of Paisley’s community policing team, also confirmed a list of those involved has been passed to officers and home visits are being carried out.
The last service in Shortroods will depart Spr ingbank Road at 6.02pm, with passengers forced to board and alight at Inchinnan Road and Love Street after this time.