The number of names on a petition to save a direct bus service that links parts of the West End with the city centre is set to reach 2,000.
With no sign of the campaign to save the 4A route abating, campaigners in Kelvindale – the main area affected by the change – are pulling out all the stops to get First Glasgow to reverses its decision.
Watch: Campaigner Valerie Gauld says people are determined to fight the loss of the 4A bus link.
Glasgow West End Today understands the demands for a rethink have been taken to senior levels at First Group’s headquarters in Aberdeen.
Politicians and community representatives have been pushing the company to reconsider its stance.
However, the end of the current service is set to come into effect on October 23.
First Glasgow says it will provide a new link but passengers will have to change at Anniesland if they want to reach the city centre.
Uphill: Bus service takes the strain on a steep section of Cleveden Road.
But Kelvindale community council, which is leading the campaign, says this move will hit many residents, particularly the elderly and infirm, as the route of the 4A bus through Cleveden Road is their only direct route into the city centre.
School pupils will also be affected, as this route takes in Cleveden Secondary School and is used by young people travelling to Hyndland and St Thomas Aquinas Secondary schools.
They dismiss any suggestion the nearby railway station provides an alternative link for residents.
The station lies at the bottom of a steep hill and, according to residents, is not suitable for elderly people and families who would struggle to get to and from the trains.
Bus user and West End resident Valerie Gauld has launched a petition to fight the decision.
She writes on change.org: "This cut in services comes hard on the heels of the axing of the G2 bus route (only five months ago in April 2016) linking Kelvindale with the Queen Elizabeth University hospital, via other parts of the West End.
Petition: Valerie Gauld launched a petition that is set to hit 2,000 names.
"Residents of several areas will suffer, but this is a devastating blow for Kelvindale folk, in particular.
"We call on First Bus to urgently reconsider this regrettable decision, and to consult much more closely with the local community."
So far around 1,800 names have been gathered - but the numbers are growing.
The bus firm says the change has come about because too few people are using the service.
Kelvindale Community Council says the bus operator has failed to consult on the proposals.
Ken Windsor, community council secretary, said: "As a Community Council we are committed to ensuring that the needs of our community are met.
"Although First Greater Glasgow are implementing these changes within a few weeks, we will continue to oppose them and we hope that individual recipients of this e-mail will also use their own processes to stop them at local, council and Parliamentary level."
A First Glasgow spokesman this week said: “We are mindful of the strength of feeling about the change announced for Service 4A in Kelvindale but would emphasise that we have also announced the introduction of Service M4 which will replace the section of route between Kelvindale and Anniesland.
“First Glasgow is involved in discussions with residents and local representatives with regards to this service change and that dialogue is continuing.”
To see the petition visit: http://chn.ge/2d8ibBd
