A PROTEST against the axing of a Glasgow bus route is gathering support.

More than 200 people were at a public meeting at Carmyle Community Centre to voice their concern about the cancellation of the No64 service.

The meeting, which was called by Glasgow East MP Margaret Curran, also attracted the support of local politicians Baillie Anne Simpson, MSP Drew Smith and Councillor Frank McAveety.

First Bus wants to scrap the service, which runs from the city centre through Bridgeton and Parkhead to Carmyle.

Bus passengers say the service provides a key link for older people to the rest of the community and provides young people in some of the most deprived areas with access to youth, sport and community services.

Protesters in Carmyle feel they will be particularly hit hard by the cancellation because it creates the possibility of no public transport on a Sunday.

Robert McClymont, 51, uses the service every day to get to the city centre from his home in Carmyle to visit Epilepsy Connections, a support group.

He said: "If the 64 was cancelled, the only thing I could do would be to get another two buses to get me there. That's ridiculous.

"Older people in the area rely on the 64 to get around.

"People use it go to Stobhill Hospital, so getting rid of the bus service will make that very difficult too."

MP Margaret Curran said: "The large turnout at the meeting sends a clear message to First Bus that people in the East End are not going to take this lying down.

"We have already seen the effect of increased prices and reduced services in areas across the city.

"We will draw up a plan to ensure First Bus knows the strength of feeling in Carmyle and elsewhere."

Baillie Simpson said: "The strength of feeling was clear at the meeting.

"I will be working with my fellow elected representatives and the community to ensure that this proposal, which will have a severe impact on the community, is rejected."

The Evening Times reported last November that the Competition Commission was investigating the plan to withdraw the service.

It is seeking evidence to ensure the proposed changes are in line with undertakings given by First when it took over the ScotRail franchise. These stated it would not seek to use its monopoly in a way that had an adverse effect on passengers.

There were concerns it could shift bus passengers to rail by stopping some bus routes.

FirstGroup "initially requested the cancellation" because it says the No64 route runs at a substantial loss.

A spokesman for First Glasgow said: "We would like to reassure customers there are no immediate plans to withdraw service 64.

"A request to make a number of changes to services is being considered by the Competition Commission following an application made by First some time ago to address the poor performance of certain controlled routes.

"Once the outcome of this process is known, we will be in a better position to consult customers .

"We cannot ignore the poor performance of these services over a number of years, but even where a particular service is withdrawn or reduced we would try to minimise any impact on customers and would look to explore all the options available."

fiona.mckay@ eveningtimes.co.uk

The large turnout at the meeting sends a clear message to First Bus