A BUS company, which has recently come under fire in Clackmannanshire for cancellations amid staff shortages, has been shortlisted for a string of national awards.

McGill's, which in January defended its record on running services on time in Clacks after residents voiced their disdain through the Advertiser, has received nine award nominations at this year’s Scottish Transport Awards.

It includes a nomination for Public Transport Operator of the Year for the McGill's Group, the UK's largest independent bus operator.

The group has been nominated for Best Bus Service with its ClydeFlyer and Unilink, delivered by Midland Bluebird in Stirling, services.

Other nominations include Excellence in Travel Information and Marketing for “transformation and growth” at Midland Bluebird, the brand which delivers services in Clackmannanshire.

This includes the 51 service which no longer conveys passengers to Clackmannan.

Alex Hornby, group managing director at the McGill's Group, said: "The nine nominations for McGill’s Bus Group across six categories at the Scottish Transport Awards highlight the outstanding work that our team and our company are delivering for passengers across the country.

“We remain highly motivated to do our best for customers and communities and will not rest on our laurels despite the challenges around us.

“To be shortlisted again for Public Transport Operator of the Year – an award we won in 2022 and finished runner-up in last year, highlighting us as Best Bus Operator – is further evidence of the extremely high standards we are setting and maintaining against some tough competition across the transport sector.”

As reported in January, residents continue to voice their disdain toward the services in Clacks.

McGill's took over services from First Scotland in 2022 and has come under fire a number of times since.

Last August, MSP Mark Ruskell entered crunch talks with bosses amid growing dissatisfaction in the Wee County.

This January, the Green regional representative said he is “still hearing stories from my constituents about folks waiting at bus stops for hours for services that never arrive, and complete route withdrawals leaving communities isolated”.

Promises have been made to bring forward improvements, however.

In January, Mr Hornby insisted buses were running on tome to a high degree and cited a continued shortage of drivers to be a key factor in delays.

He said at the time: “In the recent period, approximately 97 per cent of our services in Clackmannanshire have run according to the timetabled schedule, with our team working hard to produce a good and reliable service for our customers.

“We obviously aim for this performance to be even higher and acknowledge that when delays and cancellations occur, it is hugely frustrating for those relying on us.”

Supported by the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, The Railway Industry Association and CPT Scotland, the 21st Annual Scottish Transport Awards will take place at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel in Glasgow on June 20.