SPT signals franchising

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is set to franchise its local bus network.

The Glasgow region’s transport authority has decided to approve the recommendations arising from the Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy (SRBS) Options Development and Appraisal work at its Partnership meeting. SPT will now consult widely on the recommendations over the following months.

As the cost of undertaking the franchising process to the point of implementation is estimated at up to around £15m and could take between five to seven years to establish, it is further recommended that SPT and its partners should also progress with Bus Service Improvements Partnership (BSIP) arrangements in the short to medium term.

“In order to progress any of these options, we need investment from the Scottish Government which now has to step up with real funding and a commitment to support public transport” – SPT chair, Cllr Stephen Dornan (SNP)

SPT chair, Cllr Stephen Dornan (SNP), said: “This is a bold and ambitious plan from SPT which sets a strong approach to tackle a declining bus market.  It gives us opportunities to build for growth, and deliver a network that is attractive, accessible, and affordable to both passengers in our communities who rely on the bus to get around and those who we need to get ‘onboard’ by offering an attractive alternative to the private car.

“However, any franchising option will take time and investment to establish so we need to look at doing something now to halt the declining bus market. BSIPs, which also require suitable investment, offer the best opportunity for a significant, interim improvement while we work to establish the world-class local bus franchise model the people of the West of Scotland deserve.

“In order to progress any of these options, we need investment from the Scottish Government which now has to step up with real funding and a commitment to support public transport, particularly bus which for too long has been forgotten and now requires urgent action.”

“Glasgow and the wider Strathclyde region is setting a precedent for other places in Scotland to follow with its move towards bus franchising” – Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities

Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, said: “Glasgow and the wider Strathclyde region is setting a precedent for other places in Scotland to follow with its move towards bus franchising.

“The current public transport network in and around Glasgow under-serves lots of its residents and bus franchising could improve access to the city centre for around 300,000 people. It will lead to better routes, better pricing and simpler fares for passengers. It’s one step towards reversing decline in bus travel and getting the economy firing again.

“Greater Manchester, the first place outside London to implement bus franchising, has already seen rising passenger satisfaction and an eight per cent increase in bus passenger numbers.”