Bus users are set to pay £100 a month
Anger as McGill’s plan to raise fares on X23 service
LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER
Passengers face forking out £ 100 a month on bus travel after McGill’s revealed plans to hike fares on the X23.
At a public meeting in Renfrew, managing director Ralph Roberts outlined proposals to increase prices on the peak service before 9am.
The changes would see a day ticket rising from £4.50 to £7, a weekly from £18.50 to £30 and a monthly from £61.70 to £100.
There will be no increases to off-peak prices and no changes to the 23 service.
Sam Mullin, chairman of Erskine Community Council, said people are being “penalised” because they live in a rural area.
The X23 and 23 services are a vital link to Glasgow for those living in Erskine, Inchinnan and Renfrew.
Mr Mullin said: “Let’s look at NHS staff who have just been given a three per cent wage rise – that’s it wiped out just to get to work. How are people expected to afford that?
“There’s no competition so they’re holding people to ransom. I understand fares need to be based on profit but this is a bit off.
“It would be cheaper for me to take my car to work.
“Why should anyone be forced into using a car when there’s a bus service?
“That to a family, if one person is travelling, is a big hit on their budget.
“The story is endless. Single parents, who are working, could be starting at 7am so they have no choice.
“The question they face is, can they afford it?
“As a community council we are going to raise it through other channels. People who stay in rural areas are being penalised.
“I appreciate you can’t run buses on fresh air but I’m quite disappointed by the actions of McGill’s.”
Derek Mackay, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West has asked McGill’s not to follow through with the proposed fare increase.
He said: “There is great anger over this, which I fully understand.
“I have contacted the company to raise make my feelings known on this and ask them to reconsider before they fully commit to the increase.”
McGill’s has also outlined plans to introduce a new XP23 service to deal with the demand at peak times.
Responding to complaints that customers service is poor, the company vowed to introduce more training and change its performance targets.
McGill’s customer services team said, if approved, the X23’s fare increases are expected to be in place from April.