Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, has condemned the decision made by the First Bus group to permanently cancel the 208 service which runs between Silverton and Brucehill. This service has already been suspended for several months, leaving locals without easy access to transport.

First Bus described the service as a “marginal route” which was “no longer viable to run in the current climate”.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“I am deeply disappointed to learn that First Bus has cancelled the 208 service. I know that local residents along that route relied on that service to keep them connected and that the previous suspension of it caused huge disruption to their day to day lives.

“At a time when the economy is in desperate need of urgent recovery, and workplaces and businesses are beginning to reopen to aid this recovery, I would have thought that First Bus would have wanted to do everything in its power to help local people to get moving again. Many people rely on their local bus route to get them to their workplaces and to move around the community.

“I have written to First Bus urging it to rethink the decision to cancel this service and would urge the Council to work with me to stand up for the needs of local people.”

Councillor David McBride said:

“I contacted First Bus on behalf of constituents in Brucehill and Silverton regarding the suspension of the 208 service.

“I was extremely disappointed to learn First Bus have no plans to reinstate the 208 service. This is unacceptable to our community, I will submit a motion to the Council to urge First Bus to reconsider and I will be calling on West Dunbartonshire Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to enter into discussion with bus operators to safeguard this vital local service”.