BARRHEAD residents have slammed a bus firm over the “ridiculous” standard of service endured by passengers.

There have been several complaints about bus services operated by McGill’s failing to turn up on time.

The issue was raised at last week’s meeting of Barrhead Community Council, which heard some passengers are being left to shiver in freezing temperatures while they wait for an overdue bus.

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And the company admitted failings in local services, pinning much of the blame on the winter weather.

Jack Harkness, McGill’s commercial manager, and Barrhead depot manager Jim Smith attended the community council meeting to listen to concerns raised by local passengers.
Rosaleen Reilly, community council chairperson, said: “I have noted workmen who had to stand in the cold weather for up to 45 minutes for a bus to take them from Paisley Cross to Barrhead.

“It is ridiculous.

“McGill’s were always a dependable service. It is heart-wrenching to see that it no longer is.”
Mr Harkness said McGill’s was willing to “hold its hands up” regarding the frequency of services.

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He added: “It has been bad over the past couple of months. You will see the positives when we get over the winter.

“The winter put us back on the maintenance programme and that has held us back quite a bit. We are 100 per cent sure people would rather see safe, fixed buses out on the road than just putting anything out.”

Mr Harkness also said Barrhead passengers will benefit indirectly from the delivery of 25 new buses to McGill’s next month.

He told the meeting: “Barrhead won’t be getting the completely brand new buses, as these will be going to the 26 service, but the cascade of buses that are only two and three years old will come into the Barrhead services.”

Also discussed at the meeting were proposals to close the McGill’s depot in Muriel Street, Barrhead.

Mr Harkness confirmed there are no plans to reduce service routes or frequencies, adding there would be some “positives” if staff were transferred to depots in Johnstone or Inchinnan.

“Nothing would change in this area,” he said. “No routes would be changed and no frequencies would change.

“There is a positive with other buses going to different garages because you will have all the run-outs and the run-backs going through Neilston Road.”

Meanwhile, East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton has met with management from McGill’s to discuss the planned closure of the Muriel Street depot.

He described the meeting as “constructive, but ultimately disappointing.”

Mr Masterton added: “The consultation still has a few weeks to run but, unless something significant changes, the Barrhead depot will be closed from the end of March.

“McGill’s are working to avoid any compulsory redundancies but some staff might not wish to relocate.

“The managing director did assure me that the closure, if it does go ahead, will not have any impact on local bus services running through East Renfrewshire.”