CLYDEBANK'S direct bus service for hospital staff and patients is proving a hit - but campaigners still want more public support.

And Drumchapel residents could be key to ensuring the six-month pilot is extended to a permanent service.

The new bus route launched a month ago after a concerted push for public transport to the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, now the primary health centre for the area.

Dalmuir and Mountblow Community Council, who pushed for the bus through their BOSS (Bankies Opposing SPT Strategy) campaign, reported they are getting just over the number of passengers to break even.

By their calculations, six people are needed per journey and a push will now be made to promote the bus to Drumchapel residents, who can reach the hospital faster by travelling to Clydebank and then picking up the CQ1.

Around 2,500 fliers have been distributed already so a further push is still to come to ensure the service continues beyond the next five months.

Danny Lennie, speaking before he was elected chairman of the community council, said: "The average we need is six people per trip to break even. In the first three weeks, we have probably not seen every bus but from talking to the drivers, we are probably slightly ahead.

"But that's probably not good enough.

"The drivers are very positive about it. They absolutely love it.

"It's getting used but it's the figures and we don't know what SPT will look at for a profit.

"If it's working, it's working well but only just - a lot more work needs to be done."

He added: "This bus only takes 20 minutes - that's the key - you can cut the journey by a hell of a lot. Jump down to Clydebank and it's 20 minutes to the hospital. It could even do a bit of good for the Clydebank Shopping Centre."

Outgoing chairman Craig Edward added: Craig: "We are going to work out an action plan for getting the time table sto more people."

There are also hopes information about the bus can be included with hospital appointment letters to get the word out.

FirstBus, who operate the service on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council, said it would be up to the council and SPT to determine its future.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "The council is funding the pilot service in order to gather evidence to support a permanent bus route being introduced. All of the data gathered during the pilot will be made available to bus operators when available.”