BUS drivers have been told they could face job losses if fare fraudsters cannot be curbed.

Drivers for transport provider McGill’s, which runs services across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, were informed adults falsely buying child tickets on a mobile app were affecting profit margins.

Bosses revealed ticket fraud was the reason a pay rise was not awarded to staff in the summer.

In a letter to all drivers, managing director Ralph Roberts said it was now down to staff to properly police buying of tickets.

It read: “It has become clear there is rampant ticket fraud going on. The biggest problem is the use of child tickets by adults on mobile. It takes you, the driver, to deal with it on the spot.

“We will be introducing fines for those caught and will be removing their mobile accounts. Additionally, when detected, they will recommend the driver concerned is dismissed. This is a last resort.

“Revenue has been falling dramatically and the lion’s share of it is due to the wrong value tickets being used.”

The communication from the company’s bosses was sent privately to staff, with one disgruntled driver sharing the letter on social media.

Former bus driver and current SNP councillor for Barrhead, Angela Convery, has spoken out.

She said: “Rather than assume responsibility for their [McGill’s] ongoing issues with their ticketing app, they are now passing responsibility to the drivers."

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: “I hope McGill’s will take a more measured view of the issue and how they work to a resolution of the problem.”

Mr Roberts said: “I do understand it is difficult for a driver to confront an adult who is using a child ticket but it is part of the job.”