A POPULAR bus service has been forced to suspend part of its route following a series of stone-throwing attacks that left one of its vehicles with a smashed window.
McColl's Travel announced this morning that its 184 service will no longer serve Whitecrook Estate until further notice after repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour.
Instead, the service will terminate at the roundabout at Barns Street and East Barns Street while the operator works with Police Scotland and other agencies to address the problem.
Over the weekend and again on Monday, buses on the 184 route were targeted by youths throwing stones.
During the latest incident, a window was smashed in Whitecrook.
Police Scotland has been informed of the incidents.
Announcing the temporary route change on Facebook, McColl's said : "Due to recent anti-social behaviour involving youths throwing stones at buses, including a window being smashed, Service 184 will temporarily not serve Whitecrook Estate until further notice.
"The service will operate only as far as the roundabout/junction at Barns Street and East Barns Street.
"This decision has not been taken lightly, but the safety of our passengers, drivers and vehicles must come first. Thankfully there were no injuries, but these incidents could have had very serious consequences.
"Police have been informed and we will continue to work with SPT and the relevant authorities. Normal service will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers and thank the local community for their understanding."
Earlier, McColl's had appealed to parents, guardians and the wider community to speak to young people about the dangers of throwing stones at buses, warning that such behaviour puts drivers, passengers and members of the public at serious risk.
The operator said it hopes to restore the full 184 route as soon as it is safe to do so.
