Public pleas to resurrect a direct bus link between Renfrew and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) will be heard by the council on Monday.
It was announced in May that McGill’s 21 service would terminate in Braehead, meaning anyone trying to get to the QEUH must use the 17 from Paisley or 23 from Renfrew or Braehead.
A petition with almost 600 signatures has been received by the local authority, asking that “real concerns” about the change are passed on to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
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Ms Elaine McCrindle submitted the appeal, which read: “This petition is to highlight real concerns about the number 21 McGill’s bus, now no longer servicing passengers back and forward to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, instead terminating at Braehead.
“This is a very valuable service to the residents of Arkleston and Newmains, and other areas of Renfrew.
“We would now like the opportunity to discuss this further at Renfrewshire Council Petitions Board, in the hope that our concerns can be passed on SPT as we are aware that Renfrewshire Council contributes to SPT in order that certain services are subsidising hospital services.”
The service change has been the subject of debate since it was initiated, with a meeting held in protest at Arkleston and Newmains Community Centre in May.
A number of bus services have been cut in Renfrewshire
The council has advised that SPT is aware of the withdrawal of McGill’s 21 service to the hospital but explained: “There are a further two services that operate from Braehead to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on a better than ten-minute frequency.”
The transport partnership’s hands could be tied, however, as it cannot operate a subsidised partnership which would be in competition with a commercial service.
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The board will listen to a 10 minute statement from Ms McCrindle, who is allowed to attend with one supporter.
Members may then respond by taking no action and detailing the reasons why, referring the petition on to a director or policy board for further investigation or to another relevant organisation for analysis.
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