Kilmacolm to Port Glasgow bus service saved thanks to SPT

The 530 service from Kilmacolm to Port Glasgow will continue for the next three years thanks to the subsidy from Strathclyde Partnership For Transport(SPT).

Local councillor David Wilson, who is chair of the SPT operations committee, welcomed the support and says he is delighted that the 'lifeline' service has been saved.

He told the Telegraph: "I am delighted.

"It was a decision made under delegated powers by SPT officers who assessed it as a lifeline service.

"There was no other way that anyone without a car could get to the health centre, the hospital, Port Glasgow Railway Station."

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The service, run by McGill's, had previously only been given a reprieve until next month.

Mr Wilson says he had 'very positive' feedback from residents about the bus service continuing.

Councillor Wilson, speaking at the bus station in Port Glasgow, said: "I have had a very good response, I have spoken to a number of people about it and they are pleased.

"This route is also important for people who go to college or work as well."

Cllr Wilson says the service is one of eight routes in Inverclyde subsided by SPT.

This includes the X22 from Port Glasgow to Clydebank at £905 by week, the 330 Pennyfern/Overton to Greenock as £104,062 per year and the number 1 bus service from Kilmacolm/Quarriers to Johnstone Station.

While there has been good news for passengers who use the 530, other services have

not been spared.

There has been public protest and a petition in opposition to the controversial decision by McGill's to axe the 540 service which connects Clynder Road in Greenock's east end with Gourock Railway Station.

Cllr Wilson said: "I was disappointed that we couldn't save the 540 service. In the officers' words the patronage was 'tiny' and there were alternatives.

"The 530 has a reasonable patronage and officers thought this was a good use of the public purse."