MSPs have demanded a cap on bus fares and action to prevent cuts in services across Helensburgh and Lomond.

Labour's Jackie Baillie, the area's constituency MSP, and her West Scotland regional colleague Katy Clark, warned buses are at risk of being “wiped out” if action is not taken to keep fares down and prevent routes being cut.

Research shows that in 2021, nearly half of all respondents in Strathclyde Partnership for Transport areas did not agree bus fares were good value for money.

SPT supported services in the area are: 

315 Helensburgh-Churchill circular (Sundays only - other times unsubsidised)

316 Helensburgh-Garelochhead-Coulport (early morning, late evening and Sunday - other times unsubsidised)

302 Helensburgh-Arrochar-Carrick Castle

340 Helensburgh-Vale of Leven Hospital-Royal Alexandra Hospital

305 Luss-Alexandria

306 Helensburgh-Vale of Leven Hospital-Alexandria

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Many passengers have seen prices soar in recent years, with operators forced to cut lifeline routes since the pandemic.

The number of passenger journeys being taken in the South West and Strathclyde regions is still 35 per cent lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Ms Baillie said: “Bus networks in West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond are struggling, but the SNP-Green government is missing in action.

“If we don’t act now we will see routes across the constituency wiped out, communities cut off, local people left with no public transport options, and more cars on the road than ever.

“We urgently need to cap fares and take action to protect services, which is why Scottish Labour raised the issue in the Parliament – but the SNP and the Greens refuse to listen.

“We need to act now to end years of decline and prevent bus networks across West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond being decimated.”

Ms Clark, who is a longstanding campaigner for buses being nationalised, claims the industry in Scotland is “on the brink of collapse”.

She said: “Bus networks in the west of Scotland are on the brink of collapse, but the Scottish Government is missing in action.

“Without urgent action, communities face being cut off, with local people left with no public transport options, and more cars on the road than ever.

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“Scottish Labour is calling for fares to be capped and for strict conditions to be placed on public funds provided to private bus companies.

“This will maintain services and provide the necessary commercial information to bring buses back under public control.

“We need to act now to end years of decline and prevent the West of Scotland’s bus networks being decimated.”

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.