Night-time bus services across Renfrew are under threat after a woman was “showered in glass” following a "reprehensible attack" by youths.
McGill’s Buses management have warned evening services could be withdrawn to ensure the safety of passengers and staff after the latest attack which left a passenger injured.
A woman on board the number 23 service was injured on Friday night after the bus was targeted by a group of youths close to the Normandy Hotel on Inchinnan Road shortly before 11pm.
The group pelted the vehicle with rocks and stones leading to a window being smashed and the passenger being showered in glass.
Police and an ambulance had to be called to the scene with medical attention provided to the injured woman.
It is believed the passenger sustained cuts and bruises from the attack.
The bus had to be withdrawn from service and other passengers were forced to wait for a subsequent service or make other arrangements to complete their journey.
Ralph Roberts, CEO of McGill’s Group, said yesterday: “This is a reprehensible attack which has left one of our passengers badly wounded and many more severely shaken as they travelled on our service.
“These are criminal acts and we will provide information to police to assist them in identifying perpetrators. We would be rightly shocked if people were subject to such attacks whilst in a cafe or shop – it should be no different for the public or our staff when they are aboard a bus.
“We do not want to reroute or withdraw services but if such attacks do not stop then we will be forced to act to ensure the safety of everyone. The injuries sustained in this incident are bad enough but it could get even worse if a missile hit someone directly or a driver was forced to swerve during an attack.
“McGill’s are engaging with Police Scotland and are ready to enter into dialogue with parliamentarians and councillors about the steps necessary to ensure these incidents can be halted.
“Our thoughts are with the passenger that was hurt and we hope that she goes on to make a swift recovery.”
This incident is the latest in a spate of attacks on bus services in Renfrewshire which have increased in frequency over the past year.
McGill’s were previously forced to withdraw services from problem hotspots and the company said it would not hesitate to take action again if the attacks did not stop.
The Paisley Daily Express reported earlier this year how services across Renfrewshire were under threat following a number of “vicious and dangerous” attacks on buses which have caused almost £12,000 of damage in just days.
In February, five McGill’s buses were vandalised in Elderslie within a matter of days after having stones hurled at them by gangs; leaving the company with a repair bill of £11,500.
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