Fare play to McGill’s for listening
Readers will be aware of the current changes being made by McGill’s to the peak express service between Erskine, Inchinnan, Renfrew and Glasgow.
Earlier this week, McGill’s announced the details of the new service as well as confirming the new prices for the route.
I am pleased that McGill’s have listened to the outcry from passengers who use the service and drastically cut the proposed increase.
The feedback I received in the last week from over 1,000 users suggested that most people would be willing to pay a slight increase in exchange for the new buses, a more reliable service and the improvements being made to the peak route.
While the final increase may still be on the high side, it is a welcome change from the 60 per cent rise initially discussed.
I welcome the fact the student day ticket will be reintroduced in the coming weeks.
I know this will be a great boost to local students.
The decision to accept Zone Cards is also pleasing, as I know a number of users who were concerned over the initial plans not to accept them.
I will be meeting with McGill’s within the next few days to discuss what more can be done, not just by McGill’s, but also by local authorities and Government to try and address congestion on and around the M8, which would help improve reliability and journey times on the route.
There are still a number of ongoing queries regarding the change to the service, which will take effect on April 1.
My office is in touch with McGill’s almost daily to raise any questions constituents have, so please keep an eye on my social media for any information you need, or feel free to contact me.
Renfrewshire this week, meanwhile, became the first area to be rated “excellent” for our progress in improving the attainment gap.
In the last two years, Renfrewshire has received more than £10 million from the Scottish Government in Attainment Challenge Funding.
This money is provided to help tackle the poverty-related attainment gap by supporting schools develop approaches to improve literacy, numeracy and health and well-being.
Improving the education and life chances of our children and young people is the defining mission of the SNP, so I am delighted that Renfrewshire has received this excellent rating and the money being given to fund local projects is having a positive impact.
No child should be held back in life as of a result of social circumstances which are completely outwith their own control.
Everything which can be done to ensure every young person gets the best start in life and has the same opportunities as everyone else is something I firmly believe in.
These excellent report is down to the dedication of our local teachers, and also more importantly the hard work of the pupils in our schools.
Well done.