29 August 2007
Joining up journeys to the freshnlo Great Scottish Run
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SPT concludes its summer offer of free bus travel and parking
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Vouchers issued to 22,000 runners this weekend
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40,000 people take up free travel to four major events in Glasgow
SPT’s summer campaign of bus sponsorship to encourage more people to give bus travel a go draws to an end this weekend at the ‘freshnlo’ Great Scottish Run.
The ‘freshnlo’ Great Scottish Run is the fourth bus sponsorship arrangement. It has proved a big hit so far – 26,000 people have already taken up free travel offers to three major events staged in Glasgow.
SPT’s initiative was devised to help large numbers of people, from across west central Scotland, get to high profile events by public transport.
All competitors and up to three companions each can travel free by bus to and from Glasgow on race day (Sunday 2 September), by presenting SPT’s travel voucher to the driver.
Extra bus services from Baljaffrey and Airdrie will be laid on. These services will depart at 7.49am and 7.15am respectively - earlier than timetabled for Sundays - to take runners to George Square in time for the start.
Vouchers have also been issued for free parking at SPT’s four Park and Ride car parks. These are located at Shields Road, Kelvinbridge, Bridge Street and West Street.
The Subway will be running earlier than usual, starting at 7.30am to transport runners to the start at George Square and again, free travel is offered to and from the event.
The summer campaign has cost £35,000 and underlines SPT’s commitment to a key policy objective - getting more people out of cars and on to public transport. It is hoped that by giving people a good travel experience on the bus, they will be more encouraged to give bus travel a go in the future.
For the UEFA Cup final between Sevilla FC and RCD Espanyol at Hampden Park in May, SPT laid a shuttle service involving 30 special buses to take 8000 fans from Buchanan bus station to the National Stadium and back again after the match.
Nearly one in four runners in the Resolution Asset Management Women’s 10k race chose to travel to the event by public transport. Almost 5,000 took up the chance of using SPT’s free bus, Subway and parking offer.
This year’s River Festival attracted record levels – 85,000 in total - and organisers agree that SPT’s free transport was largely responsible for boosting visitor numbers.
Gordon Maclennan, Assistant Chief Executive said: “The bus is the public transport workhorse in the west of Scotland because of its ability to access all parts of the SPT area.
“In Glasgow, the Subway system remains at the heart of city’s transport network so this combination of free travel and parking offer works well to give people an element of choice.
“We’re delighted with the success of our summer bus sponsorship campaign so far and hope that runners taking part in this weekend’s ‘freshnlo’ Great Scottish Run will also make use of the free travel offer.
“Early indications are that as many as 14,000 people could use the vouchers this weekend and if that’s the case, our summer campaign will top the 40,000 passenger mark.
“We’re working hard with business partners to make public transport more attractive so that it becomes the travel mode of choice, not last resort.”
Sandy Wilkie, Sales and Marketing Director for Robert Wiseman Dairies said: “The ‘freshnlo’ Great Scottish Run is a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking to challenge themselves. With a range of race events available for participants, the ‘freshnlo’ Great Scottish Run is a fantastic occasion celebrating our core values of exuberance, vitality and health.”
ends