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https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... t-30697990

A petition, launched by Allan Steele, is calling for a Glasgow Airport Express bus to be launched from Giffnock - giving East Renfrewshire communities a better link to the transport hub.

A petition launched to bring the Glasgow Airport Express bus service to Giffnock is gaining support.

Allan Steele, who launched the petition, believes the "excellent" First Bus service between Buchanan Bus Station and the airport could be replicated, linking the soon-to-be refurbished Giffnock railway station to the international airport.

He is hoping the petition, which has over 150 signatures, will gain the attention of East Renfrewshire Council and he believes that the service will also benefit other areas like Newton Mearns and Clarkston.

In the petition, Allan said: "While a growing number of us work from home, many still have to use Glasgow Airport to travel for work and leisure.

"There are no direct public transport routes from East Renfrewshire to Glasgow Airport. East Renfrewshire has grown and so has the need for better public services.

"Taxis and private hire cars have their place, but they are increasingly expensive (sometimes more expensive than a flight) and not suitable for many on a regular basis.

"First Bus provides an excellent Airport Express service from Glasgow city centre. It is particularly useful for tourists and other visitors to the city. Residents of East Renfrewshire could benefit from a similar service.

"I would like to see First Bus introduce the East Renfrewshire Express Service, running from the newly refurbished Giffnock train station when it is complete, along Fenwick Road and down Rouken Glen Road towards Darnley.

"This service would serve residents throughout East Renfrewshire to include those in Giffnock, Thornliebank, Netherlee, Clarkston, Busby and Newton Mearns. It would assist the local economy, increase our connectivity and help those for whom a taxi is a luxury they can ill afford."

Mr Steele has also urged anyone who agrees with the petition to share it. You can view the petition online here - https://www.change.org/p/extend-the-gla ... nfrewshire

Sentences with the words Clarkston, Busby, Giffnock, Newton Mearns and ill-afford are not common parlance

Clive wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2025 2:10 pm Sentences with the words Clarkston, Busby, Giffnock, Newton Mearns and ill-afford are not common parlance

But look at the areas it passes through: Clarkston, Busby, Darnley and Paisley all once served by long gone Western SMT service 08. Not everyone staying in these areas is cash rich and regards Giffnock and Mearns many are asset rich and cash poor!

That said at least he is speaking up for better connectivity something which nobody in the employ of Glasgow Airport has done!

As long as AGS remains in control, this is unlikely to happen. The reality is that AGS actively discourages public transport providers from serving the airport. Their preference appears to be limiting transport options to maximise revenue from the drop-off facilities and car parking.

Having a direct bus service to some of the wealthiest parts of the airport's catchment would clearly be a good move. Perhaps it could also go on to serve EK too.

The lack of initiative from AGS to expand GLA's connectivity is stark. Fingers crossed the new owners from Germany might be more public transport minded.

FlyGLA wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2025 3:13 pm As long as AGS remains in control, this is unlikely to happen. The reality is that AGS actively discourages public transport providers from serving the airport. Their preference appears to be limiting transport options to maximise revenue from the drop-off facilities and car parking.

Don't forget the fast food outlets. There's money to be made there too.

Iain wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2025 3:22 pm Having a direct bus service to some of the wealthiest parts of the airport's catchment would clearly be a good move. Perhaps it could also go on to serve EK too.

The lack of initiative from AGS to expand GLA's connectivity is stark. Fingers crossed the new owners from Germany might be more public transport minded.

it sounds a bit like looking to re-create the 374 service, which ran from Shawlands and Giffnock via Silverburn for some time, but was later truncated to Paisley. Prior to that was the 582 which served East Kilbride, Clarkston and Darnley, but originated in Edinburgh. Both were somewhat restricted in appeal, as they only operated 7am-7pm, which made them useless for many flights. Worth bearing in mind that a 500 ticket allows a tag on to other First services from the City Centre, so does have some connectivity.

There was an Arriva bus service from East Kilbride to Glasgow Airport back around 2009 but it didn't last long. At the same time there was a First service from Braehead via Silverburn to East Kilbride, again short lived.

I would love to see more links to Glasgow Airport but I doubt there is the volume of passengers who will use it. The existing 500 service is pretty quick and can connect easily in City Centre.