MORE than 1,500 people have signed a petition protesting McGill’s plans to hike bus fares. 

Passengers are furious at proposals – outlined by managing director Ralph Roberts – to increase prices on the X23’s replacement 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.

The proposals have been criticised by Jacqueline Graham, who has organised the petition. 

READ MORE: Passengers hit out at ‘unfare’ hike in prices on Renfrewshire route

The 52-year-old said: “Buses are cold, damp and some drivers are extremely rude, with some pulling away from stops when they see someone running.

“Around 1200 passengers use the X23 before 9am Monday to Friday. 

“How can McGill’s possibly increase a day ticket from £4.50 to £7.00, a weekly from £18.50 to £30.00 and a monthly ticket from £61.70 to a staggering £100?

“Where are families supposed to find this? Money is tight in every home, this rise is going to have a serious knock on effect for everyone who uses the X23 and their families, effecting health mentally and physically.

“People won’t be able to afford to pay bills, rent, mortgages, utility bills and normal living expenses if they have to pay these ridiculous prices to get to and from work. 

“Why are people being penalised for where they live and work?” 

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has held talks with Ralph Roberts in a bid to get McGill’s to reconsider the pricing structure. 

“Despite transport being a devolved issue I have been following recent developments with McGill’s closely, and I or members of my staff have been present at their recent public meetings – where the level of public discontent has been made palpably clear.

“I also met with the managing director of McGill’s on Friday morning to express my constituents’ concerns further and press for the proposed pricing structure to be reviewed. 

“At the meeting I further pushed for the use of Zone Cards to be allowed on the new express services after McGill’s had stated they may not be valid on these services.

“I will continue to push McGill’s to reconsider these drastic price hikes and I will encourage them to act with responsibility towards the public when making any changes to their routes and timetabling. 

“Many rely on these services to get to work and go about their daily lives so I totally understand the level of frustration that is felt.”

In a recent statement, Mr Roberts explained the reasoning behind the company’s proposals.

He said: “The prices proposed at the public meeting are what would be required to sustain the peak service without external subsidy and are in line with peak motorway express services in other areas. 

READ MORE: 'You are holding us to ransom' - Renfrewshire passengers hit out at fare increase

“We understand that this would be a very substantial increase and we have yet to finally decide exactly what the fare will be. 

“The bus users present at the meeting asked us to think about this and that is what we are doing.”

The petition can be found here.