Petitions can be like buses; sometimes two come along at the same time.

Following extensive public support and feedback regarding my petition for a dedicated express bus service between East Renfrewshire and Glasgow Airport, I have decided to campaign in parallel for an express bus service between East Renfrewshire and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH).

In 2015, the QEUH largely replaced the Victoria Infirmary as the main hospital for many of us who live in East Renfrewshire. As a grateful patient and as a former member of staff, I was part of the campaign to save the Victoria Infirmary. Inspired by my father whose father passed away in the military hospital in Cowglen after WWII, I also campaigned for a new hospital on that site. Sadly, both campaigns failed. The decision was made: our new hospital was to be situated several miles away in Govan.

Since then, East Renfrewshire residents have done their best to adapt. Thousands of us will have been grateful to the staff of the QEUH over the years. They care for us and our loved ones. The place and its staff hold a special place in our hearts. The problem for many who live here is the distance and the lack of direct public transport. Do not get me wrong; you can get there by public transport, but that involves changes. That affects patients, visitors and staff alike. It increases road traffic and congestion. That is not good for anyone and it is not good for our environment.

I want to see a dedicated express bus service from East Renfrewshire, linking us directly to our hospital. That could be folded into a service to Glasgow Airport too. Details would need to be carefully worked out. The purpose of this petition is to gather support for the idea in principle.

If you agree with me that we need affordable, regular, environmentally friendly public transport between East Renfrewshire and the QEUH, please sign this petition and share it.

Thank you.