Thousands go online to fight bus axe plans
Anger as McGill’s services set to stop
Furious bus passengers have started an online petition urging McGill’s not to axe vital routes.
The bus company announced last week it would be stopping the number 19 and number eight services at the end of March.
The number eight bus travels between Linwood and Johnstone, while the 19 links Paisley with Bridge of Weir, Houston and Johnstone.
Less than 48 hours after the petition was set up, it had received over 2,100 signatures from people pleading with McGill’s to reverse the decision. Robert Innes started the petition. He said: “The communities of Linwood, Houston, Johnstone, Bridge of Weir, Paisley, Inchinnan, and others will be impacted by the loss of the number eight and number 19 bus services in Renfrewshire.
“For many people it is the only viable option to travel to work, school, college, university and for our elderly people to commute between the villages and towns in Renfrewshire.
“It is also one of the only options available to travel to Johnstone train station for some commuters.
“I hope that this petition can generate enough signatures that McGill’s and SPT come to realise that these bus routes are vital.”
Anne Burns wrote: “When I visit family, I need to be able to get around.
“No bus means I won’t be able to do that, and it won’t be my choice.
“Public transport is supposed to be there for the public to travel around and get on with daily activities. Please don’t let them down.”
Kimberley Sneddon said: “This service is a lifeline to people in our community. People need this service.
“It’s utterly ridiculous that this is even up for discussion.”
Audrey MacLean added: “My mum uses this service regularly as she does not drive. It’s her only transport to get out of the village for shopping and hospital appointments.”
Sean Hurl is worried about the impact the changes could have on older people saying: “We are suffering a crisis of loneliness in the country - cutting vital public transport links will only exacerbate this situation.”
McGill’s said since it took over the services from the defunct Riverside Travel in 2013 it has ran at a loss of half a million pounds.
It has recommended people who use service eight from Linwood to Johnstone switch to service seven and 38.
Those using service 19 can use the 757 between Paisley and Inchinnan, service X7 between Craigends, Crosslee, Houston and Bridge of Weir or service 1 for Bridge of Weir, Houston and Johnstone.
McGill’s managing director, Ralph Roberts, said: “The bus operating environment in West Central Scotland is in a serious situation due to patronage decline.
“More than three quarters of the reasons for this are outwith the bus operator’s control.
“Unless the government and local authorities are able to assist the bus passenger in some meaningful way, is it very likely that more routes will follow the eight and 19.
“In the current climate we have a choice – to constantly increase fares, or cut back services that require high internal subsidy from other busier services - this pains us greatly and is always a last resort.
“We would like to thank our regular eight and 19 customers and direct them to McGill’s alternative services.”
Both bus services will stop from Monday, March 26.
To view and sign the petition, go to change.org/p/mcgills-buses-savethe- mcgills- no- 19- no- 8-servicesin-renfrewshire