Two bus services described as a "lifeline" for elderly Johnstone residents will be axed next year.

Councillor John Hood has raised concerns over Key Coaches' plans to withdraw its 1 and 5 routes in April 2024.

The two services provide transport to Johnstone town centre for those living in the areas of Johnstone Castle and Spateston.

Councillor Hood told The Gazette: "Key Coaches are not continuing their bus services anywhere as of April next year.

The Gazette:

"The Spateston and Johnstone Castle routes are a lifeline for a lot of pensioners, as it's the main bus for them to go into town.

"It's going to be a nightmare when it is gone because we are losing a vital service."

We previously reported how Key Coaches withdrew its 3 and 4 services with immediate effect in early November.

Passengers using the 4 route, which covers Lochwinnoch, Howwood and Johnstone, were handed a reprieve, with rival operator Shuttle Buses agreeing to operate this service.

The Gazette:

The 3 route, which ran from Blackhall in Paisley to the town's Glenburn estate and included a stop at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, was not saved.

Councillor Hood, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie, hopes the 1 and 5 services will be taken over by a new transport operator in April.

He said: "If they are not replaced, they will be sadly missed by the pensioners who use them.

"They might end up not going down the town and I think they will feel more isolated unless there is another service there.

The Gazette:

"It's a shame and in my opinion, there shouldn't be just one company providing these routes, it should be a number of companies so residents have a choice."

Gordon Dickson, head of bus strategy and delivery at Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), said: "SPT are in the process of assessing bus service cancellations by Key Coaches, due to be implemented in April 2024. 

"We will determine whether any action is required in line with SPT's Framework for Supporting Bus services, and whether there is funding available to assist. 

"In tandem, SPT will engage with other commercial operators to gauge interest in providing commercial replacement provision."