PUBLIC transport passengers have been given a stark 'use it or lose it' ultimatum on a Clyde ferry crossing which could be axed.

The Sunday Gourock to Kilcreggan subsidised service is at risk of being stopped if more passengers don't get on board.

It currently makes three 10-minute trips each way - but has been carrying an average of just 20 passengers for the entire day.

Councillor David Wilson, who is Inverclyde's representative on the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) board, says the situation is not sustainable and that it cannot continue in this way.

Mr Wilson said: "People on both sides of the Clyde must realise that this is very much a case of use it or lose it." Bosses at SPT agreed earlier this year to subsidise the Sunday service to the tune of �16,000 from the beginning of April to the middle of October.

But passenger numbers have remained low, making the subsidy a deal a very costly one.

Mr Wilson said: "This subsidy is currently working out at about �15 per passenger for each journey, which is just not sustainable.

"We need to see what happens over the summer.

"We hope the numbers will pick up quite considerably, otherwise this would not be an appropriate use of public funds.

"The service was going to be cancelled this year, but I lobbied for it to continue and SPT agreed to give it another go this summer. However, I will have trouble fighting for it to run again next year if more people don't use it." The councillor stressed that it is only the Sunday Gourock to Kilcreggan service that is under threat.

It is operated by Clyde Marine with a boat that can take 70 passengers.

The Monday to Saturday Gourock to Kilcreggan service is run separately by Clydelink.