Buses travelling through Shortroods have been pulled in the evenings after violent yobs attacked four vehicles in the space of a week.
McGill’s Buses has confirmed it is pulling the 757 and 26A services from the Paisley scheme in a bid to protect its drivers and passengers.
Bosses said last night that they have been left with “no other option” after the windows on a brand new electric bus - which had only been on the road for a matter of days - were completely shattered.
Stones have been thrown at the buses from the Love Street area on four consecutive nights, causing an estimated £10,000 worth of damage.
In a statement issued to community leaders, chiefs at McGill’s said: “It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed by this type of attack and therefore we cannot risk the safety of our staff, our customers and other road users.
“From this evening the last journeys that will operate through this area on services 757 and 26A will be at 6pm and then between 6pm and 11.30pm they will be diverted around this area from Paisley town centre and Glasgow Airport.
“We are asking for your support and the support of the community to help pass on this information and to identify the criminals.”
Buses are now from 6pm onwards avoiding Love Street and being diverting via Caledonia street, up to St James Street and into the airport.
Councillors Kenny and Mags MacLaren, who represent the Shortroods area, are urging all those with information about the attacks to come forward.
Kenny told the Express: “Unfortunately it’s happened here in the past and it took a lot of work from the council and police to identify those who were throwing the stones.
“It does look as if the police are making progress on this.”
He added: “Both myself and Mags are obviously disappointed that our constituents will be missing out on their local bus service but can understand the move by McGill’s - the safety of drivers and passengers must be the priority.
“We’ve contacted McGill’s to offer our support to help tackle this and get the buses reinstated on this route.”.
Sergeant Kevin Carter, from Paisley police station, said officers would be stepping up patrols in the area.
He said : “We are investigating after a number of buses received substantial damage due to vandalism which has been taking place over the past week, specifically in the Love Street area of Paisley.
“We are aware that services have had to be temporarily withdrawn on safety grounds by the bus company while they await repair, and thousands of pounds worth of damage caused.
“This is wholly unacceptable behaviour and puts members of the public at risk of injury as well as the inconvenience of losing their local bus service.
“We are progressing a number of lines of enquiry with local partners in order to identify and trace those involved and we will be increasing patrols in the area.”
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