AN Irvine bus service looks set to be axed in the summer.

Kilwinning Councillor Joe Cullinane claims the 13/113 Shuttle Buses service - which operates between Irvine, Kilmaurs and Stewarton - will end on July 17.

This is supposedly the date that the contract for service, subsidised by SPT, is due to end.

The service is also the only route that serves residents in Cunninghamhead, home to many elderly and retired people.

Last year Drybridge residents were faced with a similar fears that the 21 bus route would be removed by Stagecoach.

But the service was saved by SPT after a campaign by residents and politicians.

Speaking about the proposed withdrawal, Councillor Cullinane said: “In the four years I have been a Councillor I have had to run numerous campaigns against bus cuts and it is disappointing that we will have another fight on our hands to save the 13/113 service.

“I know, from people who use it, that this is a popular service and it is the only one that serves people in Cunninghamhead, including those retired and semi-retired persons at Cunninghamhead Estate. It is therefore imperative that a bus service like this is retained.”

"The case for bus regulation becomes stronger every time the latest bus cut comes along. It is time to put the needs of local communities before the needs of private bus companies."

Ronnie Park, Director of Bus Operations at SPT said: “Service 13 is operated on a commercial basis by Shuttle Buses, who have taken a decision to withdraw the service from July 17, which is clearly very disappointing.

"SPT subsidises only the early morning journeys (before 0825) and the last journeys in the early evening.

"There has never been any suggestion that these journeys would be withdrawn and, a tendering process is already underway for a routine renewal of the contract for these journeys beyond the expiry of the current contract in July.

"In light of Shuttle Buses’ decision to cancel the commercial service, we are now actively working to ensure the maintenance of socially necessary transport links in the area subject, as always, to budgetary considerations.

"Mr Cullinane will no doubt recall previous examples where commercial bus services have been reduced or withdrawn and SPT has  stepped in to safeguard the interests of local people."