A BUS firm is to be reported to transport watchdogs after passengers were left 'freezing' after a heating failure on one their services.

Stagecoach have apologised to customers using the 585 service after they were forced to travel without heating due to 'technical issues'.

With temperatures reaching -9C in some areas during early morning, passengers were shivering in their seats on the journey, which covers Ayr to West Kilbride, Fairlie, Largs, Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay to Greenock.

The issue was branded 'unacceptable' by North Ayrshire councillor Alex Gallagher, who says he plans to now raise the matter with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

Cllr. Gallagher added: "I would say that this is unacceptable on any public transport service. I think Stagecoach really should be encouraged to pull their socks up."

Conservative West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene said the failure should be probed.

He said: “It beggars belief in this day and age we have passengers sat on busses with no heating when it is below freezing outside. Surely questions need to be asked regarding how this was possible allowed to happen?

“The operator has obligations to meet regarding the service it provides and it is concerning that this has not occurred.

“The west coast is no stranger to the cold weather and we can't have a repeat.

“The Scottish Government tendered the contract to Stagecoach. It is ultimately up the SNP to question the contractor about the lack of heating on their buses and to ensure that this situation is resolved.”

MSP Kenneth Gibson however defended the firm, saying: "There is no legislation or regulations that provide a minimum or maximum limit for the temperature for passengers on a bus.

"In cold weather if a bus needs to stop regularly to let passengers on and off it is very likely that the overall temperature of the bus will also be cool."

A spokesperson for Stagecoach West Scotland said: "We have identified that some of our fleet used on the 585 service between Ayr and Greenock experienced technical issues that unfortunately resulted in a fault with the heating system.

"We apologise to any of our customers affected, however we can confirm that these vehicles were repaired over the weekend and will continue to be monitored to ensure there are no further issues."

Full details on making and escalating a complaint to a bus company can be found on the Transport Scotland website here: https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/bus-complaints/