A CLACKS MSP has entered crunch talks with bosses at McGills amid growing dissatisfaction with services in the Wee County.

The bus company has come under fire over the past year for constant delays and cancellations, with McGill’s promising a raft of improvements.

Earlier this month, a plan was set out to improve services across the board. However, this plan removed the 51 service from stopping in Clackmannan, cutting people off from a vital route into Stirling.

Mark Ruskell, Scottish Green MSP for Stirling and Clacks, has held crunch talks with McGills CEO Ralph Roberts and senior management to discuss urgent improvements to services in Clacks.

Commenting, Mr Ruskell said: “I welcome the improvements that McGills have made to local bus services since taking over a year ago.

“We are not there yet, but the replacement of buses and recruitment of new drivers and engineers has clearly helped turn the corner.

“It’s disappointing, however, to see certain routes like the 51 still let down by cancellations – and I have once again contacted McGills to ask for them to take action to prevent this.

“Improvements to the punctuality and reliability of services need to materialise across all services if McGills are to win back the confidence of local passengers who faced a collapse of services under First Group’s operation.”

The 51 bus used to operate between Clackmannan and Stirling, passing through Alloa. Citing low usage as the reason, McGills pulled the service from Clackmannan, now only running between Alloa and Stirling.

McGills made several other changes to their routes in a bid to improve reliability and frequency of the services travelling from Stirling to Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

Mr Ruskell continued: “I’m looking forward to McGills coming forward with proposals for increasing frequency of services and consideration of new and improved routs in the months ahead.

“It’s clear we need to see real reform to the way bus services are run in Scotland so they meet the needs of all communities.

“This radical rehaul will take time, but a key principle is ensuring transparency and accountability from service operators.

“So passengers need to continue to be vocal about what bus services are needed to serve their communities – keeping myself and McGills informed of what needs to change.

“This is how we have secured progress so far, and we need to keep up the pressure.”