PRESSURE is mounting on McGill's chiefs to rethink a 'discriminatory' new ticket which will 'price students out of education'.
As revealed by The Gazette, bosses at the Greenock-based firm recently announced plans to reintroduce student day tickets from Monday.
This would enable students to access tickets for as little as £3.80 across Renfrewshire.
READ MORE: Renfrewshire students accuse McGill's of discrimination over new day ticket
However, the ticket would only apply to students aged 16-22 in full time education. This would mean part-time students and anyone 23 or over would be unfairly hit in the pocket compared to their peers.
Students at Paisley's University of the West of Scotland (UWS) campus say they will consider campaigning against the bus firm if the tickets are not opened up to students over 22.
Now, the student organisation NUS Scotland is demanding McGill's change their policy or risk 'pricing students out of education'.
In a joint letter, NUS Scotland President, Liam McCabe, and NUS Scotland Women's Officer, Shuwanna Aaron, wrote: "McGill’s proposed pricing structures fail to consider the increased cost for mature students, part-time students, students with caring responsibilities or care experienced students.
"Many in these student cohorts already face numerous cost-of-living pressures – precarious work, the disaster of universal credit, costs of supporting dependents to name just a few – that risk pricing them out of education. We remain concerned that McGill’s pricing changes add unduly to these pressures."
The union is being backed by Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP, Gavin Newlands, who hit out at the firm for hindering the chances of part-time students.
He told The Gazette: "Renfrewshire’s large student population includes people across age groups. Learning has little to do with age and people should not be priced out of retraining or following new career paths.
"Further, studying part-time makes you no less of a student. Part time students usually have other responsibilities and should have the same opportunities as full-time students. I know that many, particularly carers and parents, will have enough to think about without worrying about their travel costs.
"I urge McGills to listen carefully to the concerns that NUS Scotland is raising and for them to rethink their proposed changes to their student ticket pricing structure.”
Previously, McGill's managing director, Ralph Roberts, said: "We’re delighted to announce we are re-introducing a modified student all-day ticket from Monday.
READ MORE: 'You are holding us to ransom' - Renfrewshire passengers hit out at fare increase
"We have amended our student policy so our new student all-day tickets can only be accessed by those attending college or university full time, aged between 16 and 22. Other student tickets will not be affected.”
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