Councillor challenges bus operator on cancelled Clydebank services

Gordon Scanlan, councillor for Kilpatrick, has written to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) to ask them to 'reconsider' their decision after cancelling the 6B and 118 services run by McColls.

We previously reported that the decision to cut the route almost two weeks ago and instead redirect passengers to West Coast Motors 15 and 17 services had concerned residents.

The cancelled service used to run through Clydebank from Duntocher to Glasgow.

West Coast Motors have recently expanded these services adding '250 additional journeys' on the 15 and 17 routes but Gordon says these do not run earlier or late enough - which is in some cases not getting commuters to work on time.

The number 17 is pictured on Faifley Road (Image: Gordon Terris)

The Post spoke last week with a nurse who now faces a two-hour commute to Gartnaval Hospital.

Sandra Jenkinson said: "They have just stopped this without any notice and have not even changed the signs at the bus stops.

"I just feel totally stressed out about it. How am I going to get to work?"

Gordon says she is not the only one.

Councillor Gordon Scanlan has written to SPT (Image: Gordon Terris) He said: "People have contacted my e-mail and phoned me and they've told me personally about how it's made it more difficult for them to get to work or school.

"As a public transport user myself, I understand the vital importance of bus services in my ward which is some distance from any train stations and is solely reliant on bus services for mass transport.

"I think it's caused quite a lot of disruption, especially for people working at a certain time.

"Whilst other services such as the 17 operate through my ward they start later in the morning and operate with different routes which either complicate these resident's journeys or in some cases make it not possible to reach work on time. It doesn't really tie up."

An SPT spokesperson said: “SPT’s Framework for Supporting Local Bus Services supports subsidised bus services if there is funding available and if commercial services operating in the area are limited and not meeting the needs of the majority of users.

"Due to a significant increase in commercial services 15 and 17 in the area, supported services 118 and 6B cannot be maintained as they were originally contracted.

“We apologise to all passengers impacted by the cancellation of the 118 and 6B services and recognise the inconvenience caused to passengers who may experience a longer walk and an increase in journey time if some direct services are no longer available.

"We have received correspondence from Councillor Scanlon and have responded. We are happy to meet with him to discuss."