First Bus rivals, McGill's could be set to launch night service
The company's wants to rescue some of the routes being scrapped at the end of the month
The head of a Scottish bus company has said it is "very serious" about launching a new Glasgow night service after a rival announced it was withdrawing its services.
Ralph Roberts, chief executive of McGill's Buses, said the company could launch a new night service after First Bus said it would be cancelling 11 night services on July 31.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Glasgow and the West, he said the night routes could include Glasgow City centre to Paisley, Bellahouston and Cardonald.
Other routes could include Govan corridor out to Drumoyne to Renfrew and Paisley, as well as Easterhouse to Alexandra Parade, and finally a route that covers Pollok and Nitshill.
READ MORE: First Bus boss blames lack of drivers for axing Glasgow weekend night time services.
Mr Roberts said: "Our staff are really keen to do this. The business is really keen to do this and we're really keen to make a success out of this."
Earlier this week, Duncan Cameron, chief executive of First Bus, suggested bar staff could be trained as bus drivers and could work both jobs on the same shift.
However, Mr Roberts was not keen on the idea.
He also told us it's about helping hospitality workers: "They tend to be low paid as well.
"A lot of these people don't have access to cars and it's completely unaffordable to use taxi to come and go o your work if you're not living in the city centre."
READ MORE: First Bus boss blames lack of drivers for axing Glasgow weekend night time services.
On Wednesday, 16 SNP MSPs representing the Glasgow area, including the First Minister and former first minister, wrote to the First Bus CEO, asking for him to reconsider his decision.
In their letter, they said: "Ultimately, cancelling the night bus service will come as a devastating clow to many of the constituents and businesses we represent.
"We urge you to reconsider your decision to cancel the night bus service."
McGill's have been in talks with Glasgow City Council ahead of launching the new service.
Glasgow City Council was contacted for comment.