Concerns have been raised that holidaymakers and Glasgow Airport staff are being forced to fork out for expensive late night taxis due to poor transport links.
The last Airport Express 500 service currently departs at 11pm due to ‘driver shortages’ and the ‘current flight schedule’, First Bus have said.
This means that Glaswegians will find it easier to get home from Edinburgh Airport - 48 miles away - using a 24/7 shuttle to Buchanan Bus Station from the transport hub.
MSP Paul Sweeney responded to the news by saying that it was "beyond a joke" that a city as big as Glasgow doesn't have direct public transport links to the airport.
He told Glasgow Live : “It really is beyond a joke that a city of the size and international stature of Glasgow doesn’t have direct public transport links to the airport.
“That short sightedness not only impacts on holidaymakers, but those who work at the airport and are unable to drive often find themselves in taxis home late at night due to the lack of public transport.
“With Glasgow’s public transport infrastructure badly lacking in investment and ambition, it’s no wonder that most people in Glasgow stick to their cars with the environmental consequences that result.
“We saw this during COP26 with climate delegates forced into taxis, and frankly it’s mortifying.
“Every major city in Europe has better transport links to their airports than we do, and ultimately all Glaswegians want is for Glasgow to flourish.”
In response, John Elliot, First Glasgow Network Manager said: "Our Glasgow Airport Express 500 service was severely impacted by the reduction in air travel as a result of Covid-19.
“The travel restrictions saw demand for the service collapse overnight and a significant reduction in frequency followed.
“As the number of flights arriving at and depart from Glasgow Airport continues to increase, the demand for our Glasgow Airport Express 500 has followed a similar trend.
“We are continuing to work closely with Glasgow Airport to ensure our service is aligned with those demand levels.
“The last service currently runs from Glasgow Airport to Buchanan Bus Station at 11pm due to a combination of driver shortages that are being experienced across the industry and the current flight schedule.
“Plans are in place for a slightly later finishing time for the Glasgow Airport Express 500 service beginning in the near future.”
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