Over 5,000 people have signed a petition calling on McGill’s Buses to reinstate student daily tickets following the bus firm’s decision to scrap the ticket.
The petition, created by Josh Kennedy, who is a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP). Josh, along with fellow MSYP, Maria Alam, they have both been campaigning over the recent decision.
A minority of adult single and return fares were increased by 5p or 10p, but the major hike is targeted at students. The bus company stoped offering student all-day tickets on Monday, meaning that those students travelling up to three days a week between most of Renfrewshire and Glasgow will see an increase in fares from £3 to £4.50 (or £4.20 for a mobile phone ticket) each day.
McGill’s said it is part of fare restructuring at the company that made them make the decision.
The MSYPs Josh and Maria have so far collected over 5,000 signatures. A large number of signatures collected in just a few days highlights how angry and disappointed people in the area are about the price hike.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: “Several constituents have contacted me about this issue since McGill’s announced the change a few weeks ago and I have contacted McGill’s to find out why the clearly very popular Student Day Ticket was scrapped, but am yet to hear back from them.
“This decision will hurt young people in Renfrewshire and forces those young people who can afford to do so to buy a weekly ticket, regardless of how frequently they use the service. I recognise McGill’s have a new offer of 5 journeys for £10, which covers most of Renfrewshire but does not help students living in Bridge of Weir, Houston or Langbank. Given the context of regular large price rises that people using the bus have experienced in the recent years, many of them don’t trust that this offer is going to be available long-term.”
Ross Greer, Green MSP for the West of Scotland, who has lodged a Parliamentary Motion, has invited McGills to meet with himself and local young people and to agree that they will reverse this fare hike
He said: “This will be a major blow to students across Renfrewshire, many of whom rely on McGill’s buses to get to college, university or part time jobs.
“In effect, it’s a 50% hike in their fares overnight. This is a money-grab by McGill’s- I can’t see why else they would have chosen to single out students for fare increases in this way. If you are a young person living in Renfrew and studying in Glasgow, you’re suddenly facing almost five pound more each week just to get to college or university. For many, that just won’t be possible.
“I’ll be joining the local Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament who are calling on McGill’s to reinstate student day tickets immediately.”
If you wish to sign the petition, you can do so here: https://www.change.org/p/mcgills-bus-company-petition-to-save-the-mcgills-student-daily-ticket.