A further new bus has been launched by a Renfrewshire resident keen to help people get around.
As we previously reported, The Johnstone and Area Community service 6 kicked off at the end of May and has been running a half-hourly service between Kilbarchan and Johnstone station ever since.
The not-for-profit initiative is the brainchild of John McBarron, who had the idea after attending a meeting last autumn in Johnstone Town Hall about the “poorness of the buses.”
Now, a new half-hourly 'number 3' bus is also running from Johnstone Town Centre, covering Johnstone-Elderslie-Johnstone and also Johnstone-Cochrane Castle-Johnstone.
Praising John’s efforts, Councillor Chris Gilmour said: “This is great news for residents in Elderslie and Cochrane Castle who have been crying out for extra bus services for some time.
“I wish them all the best.”
Cllr Gillan Graham added: “This new service is fantastic news and builds on the foundations laid by the recently implemented bus services to Kilbarchan.
"Congratulations on achieving so much in such a short period of time.”
In further good news, the not-for-profit initiative has also announced that it has been successful in its application for Lottery funding.
This money will cover a big chunk of their insurance.
As well as praise from local councillor’s, John’s efforts have also been highlighted by Paisley and Renfrewshire South’s new MP Johanna Baxter.
Ms Baxter paid tribute to his “brilliant work” in her maiden speech at Westminster.
She praised him for stepping up and out of retirement to help his fellow residents by filling a hole in local bus provision.
In response, John, who in the past has worked as a line manager for First Bus and was in the police for 15 years, thanked everyone who has helped get both the services off the ground.
In doing so, he highlighted the drivers and unpaid helpers in the background and the community who have been using them.
“Without the community we are nothing,” he said.
“I am really humbled with the support we have been getting from the community councils and Johnstone Business Consortium and now recognition in Westminster.
“Thank you all so much.”
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