A PETITION has been launched to save bus services to Glasgow's newest hospital.

As reported by the Evening Times, the G1 and G2 buses are set to be axed by Stagecoach in April, just eight months after they were launched.

The services serve as a vital link for residents in Maryhill and Kelvindale to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

SNP MSP Bob Doris has launched a public petition and plans to meet SPT chiefs next week to discuss alternative options of the services.

He will be joined by Maryhill councillors John Letford and Franny Scally during the session on Monday.

Mr Doris said: "Despite not being willing to reverse their decision, Stagecoach acknowledged there may be ways to drive up passenger numbers and retain an important transport link for communities in areas such as Wyndford and Kelvindale.

"Our next step is to meet with Ronnie Park from Strathclyde Passenger Transport to see if a solution can be found and another bus provider identified.

"Together with local residents and our councillors we have a number of ideas we wish SPT to consider.

"We look forward to a positive dialogue at our meeting next week and in the meantime I would urge constituents to sign our community petition calling for the G1and G2 services to continue."

Councillor John Letford said he was "disappointed" that Stagecoach would not reverse their decision, and said it would have an impact on his constituents should the services be scrapped completely.

He said: "The services started six months ago and it is slowly getting there, especially the G2.

"It will leave my constituents in the lurch. SPT have the strategic vision for services across the city so we will meet them next week.

"I am now inundated with messages from constituents saying how much they rely on the service.

"When I speak to SPT I'm going to put forward ideas about increasing the use of the bus, for example by introducing a minor route change."

An SPT spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that elected members have requested a meeting which we have agreed to."

Tom Bridge, Managing Director, Stagecoach West Scotland said: "We launched the G1 and G2 in August 2015 as entirely new, high frequency routes and have made considerable investment in these services to try and make them economically viable.

"Unfortunately we have not been able to attract enough new customers to make these routes sustainable resulting in the company suffering heavy loses on the routes since their launch.

"In addition we have also announced plans to relocate our Glasgow operations to a new base in Cumbernauld which is part of a £4m investment in bus services in the area."

Mr Bridge added that the Stagecoach depot move from Blochairn to Cumbernauld next month has also had an impact on the decision to withdraw the service, and said: " We hope these changes will allow us to focus on our core network of services to the east of Glasgow and build a sustainable bus network for the future."