Bus firm want to withdraw services

A bus operator is considering withdrawing up to six Monklands services – which local politicians say will leave communities without crucial transport connections.

McGill’s have entered into a four-week consultation period with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) over potential service changes from the end of next month.

The affected routes are Airdrie to Salsburgh; Kirkshaws/Coatbridge to Caldercruix; three services from Coatbridge to Bargeddie, Townhead and Glenboig respectively; and Monklands Hospital to Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch.

Parliamentarians Alex Neil and Neil Gray, and North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue, have all hit out at the proposal and plan to contact the bus firm, highlighting the impact on Monklands passengers of any loss or reductions in service.

SNP politicians Mr Gray MP and Mr Neil MSP say “people from Glenmavis, Stand, Salsburgh, Caldercruix and Plains will be left with very little bus provision”if the proposal goes ahead.

Mr Gray said the changes are“not acceptable”and added: “Unless McGill’s and SPT can come up with some solution, many folk in and around Airdrie will be without a regular bus service. People’s livelihoods and education are at risk if this goes ahead. We will do all we can to ensure that the villagers in our constituencies do not suffer due to a decision based solely on figures in a balance sheet.”

Mr Neil called the proposals“short-sighted” and agreed:“We will be urgently raising this issue with McGill’s and urging them to reconsider.

“These routes are relied on by some of our frailest and most vulnerable people, as well as those who depend upon it to get to schools and medical appointments.

“We cannot have these services taken away, leaving affected communities without a proper bus service.”

Labour council leader Mr Logue, who represents the Airdrie Central ward, said:“These bus services provide vital links between communities, enabling residents to travel for work, shopping or to visit family.

“To stop them is lifechanging for some local people. This is an irresponsible proposal by McGill’s, who are putting profit before service by dropping only unsubsidised routes.

“It will then be left to SPT to pick up the pieces and try to fill the gaps in service. I’ll be making my views very clear to McGill’s and SPT, and I would encourage people in these communities to do the same.”

McGill’s managing director Ralph Roberts said:“McGill’s has submitted to SPT a notice of cancellation for some commercial services in the Monklands area.

“We are in the statutory 28-day consultation phase with SPT, and at the end of that process, will issue full details of any changes we intend to make to routes in Monklands.”