30 November 2007
SPT shares future vision for bus industry
Glasgow seminar to help raise bus standards
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) will share its vision for bus services in the West of Scotland at a seminar in Glasgow on Monday (3 December).
Among the issues to be discussed will be SPT's 5-point plan to improve quality in the delivery of bus services, the benefits of flexi-buses, raising the standard of community transport and integrated ticketing.
SPT's Director of Bus Operations, Eric Stewart will give a presentation to an audience of politicians, local authority officers and bus operators as well as representatives from the Scottish Government and the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).
In his speech Mr Stewart will outline the importance of partnership working between SPT, the bus industry and local authorities to help provide a first-class bus service to the travelling public.
He said "This is a chance for SPT to share our ambitions for the future of the bus industry with our partners. We want to work with bus operators and local councils to raise bus industry standards and ensure that passengers are guaranteed a high quality bus service no matter where they are travelling to and from."
Earlier this year, SPT suggested its 5-point plan as a way to work in partnership with local authorities. Already, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire Councils have signed up to the plan and SPT hopes to reach a similar agreement with all local authorities in Strathclyde.
In the 5-point plan, SPT offers to regulate, review and enhance the quality of bus services in each council area. As well as providing bus wardens to monitor and regulate services, SPT's Network Design Team will also help create an integrated bus network based on the needs of the area.
During the seminar, Mr Stewart will explain that SPT is taking steps to introduce integrated ticketing and is conducting an audit to determine the levels and standard of community transport in the west of Scotland.
There will also be a discussion on the potential to introduce flexi-buses which offer a flexible on-board seating layout to accommodate various user groups.
In addition, Mr Stewart will introduce the possibility of variable departure charges from bus stations which would be dependent on vehicle efficiency – for example, buses which cause the most damage to the environment could be charged the most whereas investment in greener technology will result in lower charges to encourage operators to continue to invest in new vehicles.
Following the presentation, Chair of SPT Councillor Alistair Watson, will host a question and answer session.
Mr Stewart added, "It's important that we all work together for the good of bus passengers and this seminar is an excellent opportunity for a number of bus industry experts to express their views and learn from each other's knowledge."
ends
Notes to editors:
- Earlier this month SPT launched its first Bus Wardens scheme in Paisley Town Centre. Six service compliance inspectors will ensure bus operators in Paisley are complying with industry regulations in a bid to improve the standard of service for passengers.
- The seminar takes place on Monday (3 December) at the Teacher Building, St Enoch Square, Glasgow and starts at 10am.