Protest at service cuts to deprived area - Save Our Buses!

CAMPAIGNERS urged the city's largest bus operator to put passengers before profit during a protest at the company's headquarters. More than a dozen passengers from Milton took their fight to the doorstep of First Glasgow's HQ in Victoria Road.

Members of the Save Our Buses (Milton) group have been calling for the 29 service to be increased again since it was cut back earlier this year.

The action group handed over a 1000-signature petition during the demonstration outside the bus garage gates.

Campaign spokeswoman Angela McCormick, 37, a college lecturer, said: "We want a regular and reliable service all day and at weekends."

Pensioners, young people and workers are all affected by cuts in Milton, a deprived area with no shopping centre, few activities for young people and a low rate of car ownership.

Milton councillor Billy McAllister said: "People are being stranded and abandoned - it's diabolical."

Retired teacher Jimmy Ross, 60, from Maryhill, backed growing calls for some form of bus regulation.

He said: "The Government talks about inclusion but these people are being excluded."

In February, First cut the 29 service, which used to operate every 15 minutes. It now runs half-hourly, stops after 6pm and has been scrapped on a Sunday.

In the latest round of cuts, to be introduced from July 2, the No75 night service between Milton and the city centre will also be withdrawn.

A spokeswoman for First said a representative of the firm will attend a public meeting on bus services next Thursday.

23/06/06