A COMMUNITY is fighting to save a bus route which helps "isolated" elderly people in Glasgow.

Glasgow Citybus is axing its 141 service -which runs from Parkhall to Partick - on Monday because of cost issues.

But elderly residents who live in the Broomhill and Thornwood area, in the west of Glasgow, say people could become trapped in their homes if the move goes ahead.

Now community leaders and locals are desperately trying to find a replacement service.

Senga O'Donnell, 69, who lives with her husband Denis, also 69, in Thornwood, said they used the bus to travel to and from Gartnavel Hospital.

She said: "We use it to get to the hospital for appointments so it saves people spending a lot of money on taxis. It is vital to us because there's a very big hill to get down to the shops.

"We have one neighbour who's 94 and she would be stuck inside if there wasn't a bus here."

Local SNP councillors Malcolm Balfour, Kenny McLean and Feargal Dalton have been working with MSP Sandra White to find a solution.

Mr Balfour, the SNP group spokesman for transport, said they were in talks with SPT.

He said: "We have been discussing the possibility of another bus company coming in to take over the route.

"And we are very hopeful that there is a positive outcome."

Mr Dalton, councillor for Partick West, said the bus route was "vital". He said: "It is the only, link between Gartnavel hospital and Partick interchange.

"Many of the residents in Thornwood are elderly or have restricted mobility.

"The extremely hilly nature of the area makes this bus service even more crucial for residents who have medical appointments at Gartnavel, the Western Infirmary and, in due course, the South Glasgow hospitals.

"The absence of a bus service on this route will leave many people isolated."

As part of the changes being implemented by Glasgow Citybus, service 140 (Whitecrook to Radnor Park) is also being withdrawn.

Changes to service 162 will see it withdrawn from Linnvale.

Service 141 entered the Broomhill area after First Glasgow changed their services in May 2013 and axed service number 92.

Murray Rogers, general manager of West Coast Motors in Glasgow, said: "Quite simply, Service 141, and others, have been consistently under-achieving where income has been unable to cover operating cost or make any contribution to vehicle reinvestment plans and Citybus can no longer absorb or sustain the losses."

An SPT spokeswoman said: "Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is currently engaged in discussions with a number of parties to ensure that people in communities affected by the withdrawal of the 140/141 services continue to have access to socially necessary transport links."