A MAJOR transport company has pulled the plug on a vital Dumbarton bus link – sparking fury from local politicians.

The 208 service, which runs between Silverton and Brucehill, has been suspended by First Bus for several months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

But the company has now decided to terminate it completely.

Jackie Baillie MSP said: “I know that local residents along that route relied on that service to keep them connected and that the previous suspension of it caused huge disruption to their day to day lives.

“At a time when the economy is in desperate need of urgent recovery, and workplaces and businesses are beginning to reopen to aid this recovery, I would have thought that First Bus would have wanted to do everything in its power to help local people to get moving again.

“Many people rely on their local bus route to get them to their workplaces and to move around the community.”

Labour councillor David McBride, who has also been left disappointed by the news, is calling on West Dunbartonshire Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to enter into discussion with bus operators to safeguard the “vital” local service.

And SNP Dumbarton councillor Iain McLaren branded the company’s decision “wholly unacceptable”.

Graeme Macfarlan, commercial director for First Glasgow, said: “Given the catastrophic effect that the coronavirus pandemic has had on passenger numbers, and the likelihood that passenger volumes will remain subdued for some time to come, we regretfully have had to make some tough decisions on a number of marginal routes that simply are no longer viable.

“The pandemic has brought with it unprecedented change to the bus industry, and we therefore have to be sure that our business continues to be viable and delivers a relevant network for the vast majority of our customers and where demand exists.

“The 208 is a service that had very low numbers and demand for a sustained period of time prior to the coronavirus pandemic and therefore can simply no longer be deemed commercially viable.

“The hope with the service was that we may in time see a boost to passenger numbers.

“Unfortunately, passenger levels have now fallen to a level that makes the route unsustainable on a commercial basis.

“It’s now crucial that we prioritise all resource to where it is most needed and alleviate the challenges caused by social distancing restrictions, also ensuring services have sufficient capacity where passenger volumes are increasing.”