AN AYRSHIRE Bus User Group got the go-ahead this week after members of the public banded together to tackle local transport issues.

Councillors Nan McFarlane and Peter Convery chaired the inaugural meeting of the group, where a committee was picked.

The motivation to form a bus user group came after months of acrimonious public meetings when the decision was taken last year by Stagecoach to withdraw the number 24 hospital bus service from their routes.

The committee's new chairperson is Frank Potter from Maybole, Vice-Chair is Helen Malcolmson from Irvine and Secretary is Sandra McCallum from Troon.

Other committee members are Miranda Kotnik, Kelly Malcolmson, Cathy Morrison, Alistair Sutherland, Nan Whylie, Jean Small and Ann Cameron.

The Bus User Group will be only the third to be set up in Scotland and will be part of the wider Bus Users UK organisation.

One of the group's future ambitions would be to form localised groups in Irvine, Kilmarnock and Ayr that would all come under an Ayrshire umbrella.

Meanwhile the 10 strong committee will now be busy setting out a future plans, while working with all transport agencies, like Stagecoach, Strathclyde Passenger Transport, Transport Scotland and other Bus User groups, to explore ways to improve routes and services in Ayrshire.

Representatives from Stagecoach and the Bus Users Scotland Group were also in attendance.

Cllr McFarlane said: "Peter and I were delighted to help set up this group.

"The work they will be carrying out will not only be a great asset to the travelling public who use the buses, but they will also be a strong voice for the community for the bus company when they considering major changes to the services.

"The local group are off to a good start by Bus User UK promise of financial assistance for the group, while Stagecoach has offered a venue for group meetings"

Frank Potter, 67, was the general manager of AA Buses for nine years, and the perfect choice for the chairperson role.

He said: "It is an important group to form because it will give the public more access to the public transport authorities.

"A group like this will hopefully be able to address the issues public transport users have."

The group is still in it's early stages and the committee is due to meet at the end of February.

A place for regular meetings has yet to be decided, but if anyone is interested in taking part in the group they are to get in touch with Mr Potter on 01655750293.