Price hikes ‘are not fare’

A campaign for a better bus service in Paisley is under way – and it’s a hot topic in the Scottish Parliament.

Green MSP Ross Greer, who represents the West of Scotland, told politicians that fare hikes are causing financial problems for his constituents.

“Bus services, despite being the overwhelming majority of public transport journeys, are treated as anything but a public service,”he said.

“Instead, they are run in the interest of private companies and their profit margins and, as a result, we have seen bus services run for profit over people.

“So when times get tough, routes get cut, fares rise, and there is delays to pollution-reducing initiatives.”

Mr Greer is against the recent hike in prices from McGill’s Buses.

“In Renfrewshire, McGill’s buses have hiked fares for students by 50 per cent by cutting their student day ticket,”he added.

“One young woman hit by this got in touch with me.

“Living in a small town, she has no other public transport options than McGill’s Buses.

“She has seen the price of a student ticket increase substantially in the last few years and she’s struggling to stay on her course with the constant financial pressures.”

McGill’s managing director Ralph Roberts, said:“For over a decade, McGill’s has heavily subsidised student travel by up to 40 per cent.

“The ever-ballooning cost to operate buses has meant reviewing this unique range of tickets. We faced a choice, to either adjust our fares more in line with industry norms or consider cancelling routes.”