Concerns over safety of school pupils on a bus from Largs to Skelmorlie were raised with North Ayrshire Council, and local MSP Kenneth Gibson.
However, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, which oversees school bus contracts said that only two complaints had been received this year - neither of which related to the condition of the bus. This was despite significant ire aimed at the service on social media. 
Parents told the ‘News’ that there have been a number of issues over recent months in relation to the service, with some parents refusing to let their children use the bus until matters were resolved. 
As a consequence, SPT carried out a check on the bus where they found ‘no significant faults'.
In a letter to head of NAC Education John Butcher, Mr Gibson said: “Several parents of Largs Academy pupils from Skelmorlie have reported a number of problems over recent months in relation to the service, with seemingly some parents now refusing to let their children use the bus.
“These issues include a number of bus break-downs - five or six since the turn of the year. It appears that on one of these occasions, the children returning to Skelmorlie had to be let off at Douglas Street in Largs, and according to the parent, the bus driver did not even contact the school to alert them of the break-down.
Further to this, it is reported that in the morning children have been left waiting for buses from 8.10 until 8.45 on occasions.
“I have also been advised that the double decker bus leaks upstairs in the rain, there is dampness and mould and a parent claimed that this morning petrol was pouring out of the side There have also been reported issues of overcrowding with three children to a seat for two.
“Clearly, if NAC is paying a bus company to provide a service, one would expect the buses to be well maintained, safe and run on time. If this is not happening then the contract has surely been breached and another company should be allowed to tender for the service; one that won’t let down pupils, parents or the school. I urge that action is taken to ensure that children in Skelmorlie can travel to school on a punctual and safe service.”
Largs Police confirmed that the matter was raised with officers during a recent Skelmorlie Community Council meeting and they would be following it up.
A NAC spokesperson said: “Upon receiving one formal complaint regarding the school bus, we raised the matter with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, who are responsible for the organising contracts on North Ayrshire Council’s behalf.
“As the safety of our school children is paramount, SPT has made immediate arrangements for a quality assurance inspection and report from the contractor to confirm the vehicle adheres to the relevant standard set by Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.”
A SPT spokesperson said: “SPT received two complaints from the school regarding this contract, both in January of this year. One related to pupils standing as a result of a vehicle breakdown and the other was a late arrival at the school. No issues of vehicle condition had been highlighted.
“An inspection has now been carried out and no significant faults were found. We will continue to monitor the situation”.