Vital bus services in Johnstone have been saved after a fellow firm announced the takeover of routes from next month.

The current operator, Key Coaches, will no longer operate route one between Johnstone Castle and Johnstone Centre, and route five between Spateston and Johnstone Centre, after March 16.

Shuttle Buses have now confirmed that they will be running both routes from March 18.

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There will be three buses every hour on service one and two every hour on service five, with timetables being very similar to those currently operating.

Councillor John Hood said: “I wish to thank Shuttle Buses for taking up these vital services in Johnstone Castle and Spateston; as a bus user myself, I know how essential these services are for the community."

Shuttle Buses took over service four running between Lochwinnoch and Johnstone Station in November when Key Coaches withdrew from the route, and the success of this service has encouraged the company to expand their local routes in Renfrewshire.

Ross Granger, managing director of Shuttle Buses, said: “When we heard that these routes would no longer be served by Key Coaches, we realised the serious impact this would have on the large numbers of people who currently rely on them.

"With the assistance of Key Coaches we have been able to ensure that both areas will continue to get the service they need."