MCGILL'S Buses has said they are to examine options for introducing night services to Glasgow.
The company made the announcement following the news earlier this week that First Bus are scrapping their night bus service, saying as few as 14 people an hour were using it.
The change, due to come into force at the end of July, will impact 11 routes that operate across the city in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Scotland's largest independent bus operator, owned by Scottish billionaire brothers Sandy and James Easdale, said that it was keen to ensure public transport provision in Scotland’s biggest city remained available at night.
They added, however, that it had to be financially viable.
Ralph Roberts, CEO at McGill’s Group, said: “McGill’s Group is going to examine options for providing a night bus service to Glasgow and see if we can establish a long-term plan that would be viable.
“We are only at an initial stage of looking at what may be achievable. The First Glasgow services that are being terminated are extensive and we cannot say at this stage that a like-for-like replacement will be feasible.
“That said, we know there is a level of demand for night-time bus services and if Glasgow is to thrive as a city, it needs companies such as McGill’s together with city leaders to see what we can achieve.”
McGill’s co-owners Sandy and James Easdale, meanwhile, said they wanted "Glasgow to be successful".
They added: "Trains and subway in Glasgow are both under public control and are simply not serving the needs of the night-time economy either. There is an opportunity for buses to fill that huge gap and that’s why we’re keen to see what is possible.”
