Following the announcement by McGill’s of changes to its commercial bus network in North Lanarkshire*, leaving some areas in the region without vital public transport links, SPT has now arranged to provide services to cover these areas as a temporary measure.

Assistant Chief Executive Valerie Davidson said:

“It is very disappointing that McGill’s has chosen to withdraw a number of commercial services, leaving a number of areas without any transport links.  SPT will now ensure that transport links are provided in those areas while monitoring passenger numbers.

“However, we will have to consider in the longer term whether the costs of doing this are affordable if passenger numbers are as low as suggested by McGill’s. This will be assessed against the affordability cost criteria which we are required to apply to all subsidised bus contracts.”

On a temporary basis, SPT will provide the following subsidised services:

- Service 16/117, Carnbroe – Coatbridge – Chapelhall - Salsburgh, operating Monday to Saturday daytime/early evening and Sundays operated by McNairn’s on behalf of SPT

- Service 106/A, Coatbridge – Shawhead - Kirkshaws, operating Monday to Saturday daytime operated by McGill’s on behalf of SPT

- Service 312, Monklands Hospital – Plains - Caldercruix, operating daily daytime and evenings operated by McGill’s on behalf of SPT

- Service 213, Airdrie – Coatbridge – Bargeddie - Glasgow, operating daily daytime and evenings operated by McGill’s on behalf of SPT

- Service 147A/247, Monklands Hospital – Cumbernauld – Kirkintilloch/Kilsyth, operating daily daytime and evenings operated by McGill’s on behalf of SPT

Further information available at:  http://www.spt.co.uk/bus/timetables/

*Services to be withdrawn by McGill’s From 25 June:

202 Airdrie to Salsburgh

212 Kirkshaws – Caldercruix

213 Coatbridge – Bargeddie

217 Coatbridge – Townhead

232 Glenboig – Coatbridge

247 Monklands Hospital - Cumbernauld – Kirkintilloch