A VITAL tourist bus route has been saved thanks to an investment from a private energy firm.

The Evening Times told last week how the Riversider 100 service was to be axed with at least a four month delay in restarting the service.

But now SP Energy Network will fund the service as part of a wider investment that will include Glasgow's first permanent electric bus routes.

The £20 million fund, established by SP Energy Networks, supports low-carbon transport and heating schemes.

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, welcomed the investment - but warned against increasing private investment in publc transport services.

He said: "It has secured a reprieve for the 100 Riversider bus service which had just been axed by the SNP-led council to the dismay of Greens and environmental campaigners.

"It’s vital now that the council works to ensure a long-term future for the service as part of a growing zero carbon bus network.

"However, the fact that a grant like this is needed just to keep one basic bus route going demonstrates that we can’t leave this to the private sector.

"If we want a coherent shift to greener transport that works for everyone, the government must lead with investment, regulation, and support for community and publicly owned operators."

The first round of funding has seen £1.5 million awarded to the M3 First Glasgow electric bus service, which will operate between Milton and the City Centre.

The council-operated 100 service connecting the Riverside Museum with Kelvingrove, the SEC and the city centre will receive three months' funding of £25,000.

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, said: “It’s tremendous news that the Riversider 100 will continue to operate without any break in the service.

“Since the difficulties with the service emerged, we have been working exceptionally hard to find another way forward.

“The Riverside 100 provides a direct public transport link from the city centre to Glasgow’s two most popular museums, using zero emissions electric vehicles.

“There will now be no interruption to the service before we go out to tender for a new operator in early part of next year.”