Greater Glasgow

MSP welcomes improved bus access for Caldercruix

Airdrie and Shotts MSP, Karen Whitefield, has welcomed the news that some bus services to and from Caldercruix will be served by low-floor buses, thanks to bus operator First in Glasgow.

First has introduced the low-floor vehicles on service 262 journeys leaving Caldercruix at 9.29am and 12.29pm, Monday to Friday, and the 12.45pm and 3.43pm services leaving Airdrie. In addition, on Saturdays, the 10.29am and 1.29pm services leaving Caldercuix and 1.42pm and 4.42pm services leaving Airdrie will also be covered by low-floor buses.

Concerns had been raised with Ms Whitefield by a number of concerned Caldercruix residents about the difficulties that mothers with small children and buggies had in accessing bus services.

Ms Whitefield said: "I am pleased that First in Glasgow has listened to the concerns that I raised on behalf of my constituents. While it is a little disappointing that we do not yet have low-floor buses on every part of the timetable, I welcome the efforts of First to provide these buses at the times suggested by those who use the service.

"Given the importance of bus services for villages such as Caldercuix and Plains, it is vital that they are as accessible to as many people as possible, including mothers with small children and buggies. Hopefully, as First updates its bus fleet, the rest of this service will be provided with low-floor buses."

Joining Ms Whitefield to welcome the introduction of the low-floor journeys was First in Glasgow Service Delivery Manager, Gerry Irvine.

Mr Irvine said: "We aim to provide accessible vehicles for our passengers where possible, whether they are wheelchair users, parents travelling with babies in buggies or simply someone who cannot manage steps very well on their own and I am pleased to be joined by Ms Whitefield to promote the introduction of these vehicles for services 262. I'm sure they will make a welcome difference for bus passengers in this area and enable more people to get around by bus."

Local mum, Heather Sheridan raised the issue of low-floor buses with Karen Whitefield after struggling on and off stepped-entrance vehicles with four-month-old baby Ellie, her buggy and shopping. Ms Sheridan said: "The low-floor journeys will really make a big difference and will allow Ellie and me to get out and about much more. The thought of having to collapse the buggy and carry it and shopping while seeing to Ellie was just off-putting and previously the only alternative option was to get taxis everywhere, which makes it really expensive. I am so pleased that we can now get around quickly and easily by bus."

Ruth Taggart from the Caldercruix Youth and Community Development Project, added: "Staying in a village means that we often have to go elsewhere to access some of the most common services, like doctors or dentists, so it's great that we will be able to do that easier than ever thanks to these low-floor services."