A bus service which covers East Kilbride is set to be taken over by a new operator this month - despite fears that it would be axed all together.
The 205 service which runs from Hamilton to Hairmyres Hospital will be taken over by Bellshill-based ARG Travel, of behalf of SPT, as of July 17.
It was previously operated by FirstBus and residents in the town feared a number of areas would be left with no service at all if axed including Stewartfield, West Mains and East Mains and the Village to Hairmyres Hospital.
Two years ago First axed the 31 service, causing an outcry among locals - although there was a reprieve after JMB stepped in with a 31B service.
Under a five-year contract, ARG Travel will provide Monday to Saturday daytime service 205.
And Hobson Travel, based in Larkhall, will also begin local service provision with a three-year contract to provide Monday to Saturday daytime service 172/A (East Kilbride bus station-Halfway via Cambuslang) using an SPT bus. The current contractor is McGill’s.
Last year tenders were invited for the renewal of 36 local service contracts due to expire this month but at that tome only 15 were awarded.
A spokesman for First Glasgow said: "The 205 service running between Torr Farm, Hamilton and Hairmyres Hospital will no longer be served by First Bus from next Saturday (July 16) as our contract with SPT comes to an end.
"A new operator will be taking over the contract."
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