The under-fire giant is today expected to begin the long notification process for changes to its routes – just two days after it ended a public consultation.
Managing director Ronnie Park insists this is enough time to react to public concerns over cuts and a new focus on Glasgow's main arterial routes. However, regional transport agency SPT has already accused First of running a "sham" consultation – claiming it could not possibly tweak its plans in just two days.
But Mr Park said: "Since our SimpliCITY consultation began we've been monitoring the feedback provided on a regular basis and reviewing our plans accordingly.
"Now that the consultation has concluded we are in a good position to take forward our plans and deliver a signifi-cantly better network for the majority of our customers. As a result of feedback we've rec-eived we hope to make changes to our original plans."
First aims to launch its new network on May 19.
It has told SPT it will notify the agency of the changes today – but yesterday the company would only say it would provide updated proposals "in coming days".
Bosses at SPT, as we revealed earlier this week, believe they will have to find £500,000 to subsidise routes or parts of routes dropped by First, including hospital links.
First, meanwhile, is to close its Cumbernauld depot. The company, as we revealed last month, is axeing services from the Lanarkshire town during the biggest revamp of its net-work in more than a decade.
Bosses have told workers the depot will close on May 19 – the day the new SimpliCITY network is due to start.
Mr Park said he would try to avoid compulsory redund-ancies, adding: "I appreciate the decision to close the depot will come as a blow to all staff. However, I can assure you that it was taken as a last resort."
Services being closed out of Cumbernauld include the 36, 213, X4 and X80. Stagecoach and local firm Dunn's also run buses from Cumbernauld to Glasgow.
Up to 185 workers will be affected.
Glasgow SNP councillor Malcolm Balfour – a former First driver – said: "There will be a lot of passengers worried about their services and a lot of disappointment and discontent from workers."
