Glasgow bus is saved from axe after campaign

Delight as First Bus reverses cut to'lifeline’service

- JUDITH TONNER

A bus operator has U-turned on plans to withdraw a “lifeline” service between Cambuslang, Rutherglen and Glasgow city centre.

First Bus has now announced it will continue to run the number 65 route - after declaring last month that it would cease from next week due to “insufficient passenger demand” - with a halved frequency, now operating one service per hour from July 14.

Passengers and politicians have welcomed the news, saying the service is vital for local residents in allowing them to access community services and for school pupils who will need to make use of the service as the previous council-provided transport has now been reduced.

First Bus say they have agreed to continue running the new reduced service on the route between Halfway and the city centre “following extensive engagement with the community, local authorities and political representatives to understand their concerns”.

Its first 65 services of each day will now leave Rutherglen town hall at 6.42am and Halfway at 7.07am, respectively arriving at Osborne Street in Glasgow at 7.02am and 8.02am and then running hourly rather than the current half-hourly service.

The company still say that the route is “no longer sustainable” having analysed passenger numbers over the past year, but add they are investing funds to keep a modified service running “to address local concerns regarding proposed changes, particularly around access to education and employment”.