Calls for First Bus to reconsider axing Glasgow service

On Tuesday, the company confirmed it will no longer be operating service 65, which travels between Glasgow city centre and Halfway in Cambuslang, from July 13.

The bus operator stated it had made the ‘difficult’ decision to withdraw the route following a 12-month period where it ‘consistently had insufficient passenger demand’, making it ‘no longer sustainable’.

Following this news, a petition has been launched calling on the travel firm to save the ‘lifeline’ service.

So far, it has gathered more than 1000 signatures.

It was created by Michael Shanks MP, who represents Rutherglen, who says he is ‘incredibly disappointed’ by the decision.

He said: “First Bus has underestimated the value of this service to the local community. It is an important school transport route, and dozens of constituents have already been in touch to express their fears that an important community lifeline will be cut off.

“I’ve launched this petition to demonstrate to First Bus the weight of public feeling, in the hope that they reconsider the decision and provide assurances that there will be suitable alternatives in place.

"I’m incredibly disappointed by this decision."

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Service 65 runs through Halfway, Cambuslang, Cathkin, Fernhill, and Rutherglen main street.

Shanks stated that the bus is used by pupils at Cathkin and Rutherglen High Schools.

He added that upcoming changes in eligibility for school transport in August mean that this route is ‘likely to see increased use’.

It is also reported to provide a ‘vital’ connection for older people in the area to reach Rutherglen main street and local community services, as many are said to not own their own vehicles.

Calls to save the service have been echoed by councillor Soryia Siddique, who represents Southside Central in Glasgow.

Councillor Siddique has written to both First Bus and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) as she believes the move will ‘severely’ impact residents.

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She commented: “The 65 is more than a bus — it’s a lifeline. For residents in the Gorbals and neighbouring communities, it’s one of the few direct public transport links to key services across the city.

''With the cost of living continuing to bite and pressure on household finances, the withdrawal of this service would disproportionately affect those who can least afford it.

''If First Bus and transport authorities are serious about tackling the climate emergency, cutting local bus routes is exactly the wrong approach.

"We need better and more accessible public transport — not less.”

We previously reported that First Bus would instead be reinvesting the resource into increasing the frequency of services and improving timetables across other areas of the city.

Passengers are being advised that several alternative services are available.

Chris Coleman, Head of Network at First Bus Scotland, commented: “Removing a route from service is never an easy decision, nor is it one we take lightly.

“Sadly, service 65 is no longer viable due to low passenger demand on the route. For passengers who currently use service 65, there are a number of alternative services available for them to use to get to their end destination.

“Details of these can be found on our website.”