You would think that public transport would be run in the interest of the public.

Sadly, another decision this week shatters that illusion if indeed it was still held by anyone.

It instead, appears to be privately owned and operated transport for the public, and decisions suggest it is run in the interests of the shareholders.

First Bus, Glasgow’s biggest ‘public’ transport operator, has decided it is no longer commercially viable to run night bus services in Glasgow.

The transport giant said it would need passenger numbers to triple to make it viable.

This is not the first time First Bus, the dominant operator in Glasgow has been making decisions that upset some people.

First have, over many years, cut or changed services across Glasgow leaving people in some communities outraged that their bus route has been axed.

Timetable changes have removed many early morning or late evening services in some areas.

Now, the company is giving up on the night buses, for many a year a Glasgow institution for post-pub or club, transporting people safely homewards north, west, east and south without the need to fork out for a taxi.

It was, and is, also used by late-night workers, for who a taxi home after midnight would wipe out so much of their wages it would not be worthwhile having the job at all.

The hospitality industry in the city is going through the most troubled times with people unable to afford a night out in the city.

Transport home is a consideration here with taxis expensive and not as plentiful as they may have once been.

The night bus is an economic option and a necessity for some.

But the bus operator has decided it is to be axed at the end of this month.

Too few people use it, they say.

But some people still use it, and they will be forced out of whatever activity they use it for.

Whether that is a night out or getting home from a job, the alternative costs will likely be prohibitive.

First Group makes a serious amount of money out of people in Glasgow.

A recent statement showed group profits increased to £58.4m from £45.2m. They are not short of a bob or too.

The bosses making the decision to chop the night bus are unlikely to be a few pence short of their bus fare.

This is because so many people in Glasgow, and elsewhere, pay to use their services to get around.

It is also because the firm makes a packet from the concessionary travel scheme, paid for with public money, tax payers’ money.

The same people who pay FirstBus to travel to work so they can earn money and pay taxes to give even more to bus firms.

So, in return it could be argued it would be a reasonable expectation that firms who are making serious money from profit-making routes could be expected to run buses on some routes that bring in less money.

That would involve the operation being run in the interest of the public.

First said the services are being axed due to low passenger numbers.

It could be argued that the services are being axed due to high profit expectations.

If only there was another way to manage our public transport services.