A MAJOR shake-up of bus services in the Glasgow area will result in routes being scrapped and changed.

First Glasgow is slashing services and making more than a dozen changes to their current timetable.

The move comes just over a year after more than 30 changes were were made, which included scrapping journeys between Paisley and Linwood and getting rid of the M8 service between Silverburn and North Pollok.

Among the services being withdrawn from October 19 is the X81 route between Auchinairn and Glasgow. It is used by residents in the north of the city, including Bishopbriggs and Robroyston.

The 6B Duntocher-Glasgow route is being scrapped, along with the M6 which operates between Paisley and Silverburn.

Meanwhile, the X5 Abronhill-Glasgow service is also being cut.

First bosses say they are withdrawing from “low useage” services.

Alterations include the X3 Seafar - Glasgow which will now operate between Cumbernauld Town Centre and Glasgow and no longer serve Seafar.

Two early morning journeys will be withdrawn from service 36 Abronhill - Glasgow service, while the M3 route between Milton and the City Centre will be cut back to an hourly service.

The move has sparked outrage in communities.

Drumchapel/Anniesland Labour councillor Judith Fisher is concerned about the 6B bus being cut.

She said: “First Bus is withdrawing entirely from providing a service along this major arterial route.

“This will impact on children travelling to school, people trying to get to work, older people returning home with their shopping. It’s just not good enough.

“I’m calling on First to remember they have a vital public service in their hands and to consider their social obligation, not just their bottom line.”

Robroyston resident Jeanette Murray is called on First to change the X81 timetable to suit customers instead of withdrawing it.

She said: “In Robroyston we endured years of a very poor bus service.

“I believe that Robroyston Community Council had to fight for a long time for this service, the X81 which has been in place for around three or four years."

Hillhead councillor Martin McElroy said Holyrood needed to step in and give councils the power to regulate buses.

He said: “Once again by cutting vital bus services we see the profits of private bus companies being put ahead of passengers.

“I have already had complaints from constituents who will be unable to access GP services because of bus route cuts."

A spokeswoman for First Glasgow said: “The changes we will implement from October will see some services improved and a small number with low useage withdrawn.

“Of those being withdrawn, there simply isn’t sufficient passenger numbers travelling on them to justify their continued operation at a loss. Other services provided by First, or other operators will still provide an alternative for the vast majority of customers.

“As a business we need to remain viable and be able to continue to deliver a high quality service with affordable fares for our passengers, as well as continue to invest in our vehicles and our infrastructure.”

The spokeswoman said they were investing £14million in 75 new modern vehicles, which include leather seats, free wifi and more room for buggies and wheelchairs.

She said these changes would “help us ensure this investment continues”.

New timetables will be ready three weeks before the changes come in and the information will be available via the First Glasgow website shortly.