13 June 2008
SPT’s bus service investment continues
Three Strathclyde bus service contracts renewed
Three much-needed bus services across Strathclyde will continue, thanks to a £717,912 investment by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
SPT currently subsidises dozens of local bus services across west central Scotland which are deemed to be socially necessary, but not provided by private operators.
Today (Friday 13 June), SPT members approved the award of three contracts worth £717,912 for the continuation of three bus services for a further three years.
Tenders for the services in Glasgow City and Renfrewshire Council areas were invited earlier this year. The tender prices received were considered to be unacceptably high and the contracts were re-tendered.
SPT’s Director of Bus Operations, Eric Stewart said: “I am delighted we can continue to provide these services. Some people face being cut off from public transport if it wasn’t for SPT and local authority funding to bridge the gaps in provision.
“However, these funds are limited and to deliver value for the public purse , we re-tendered these contracts. By working closely with bus operators and our local authority partners, the issue has been resolved and minor timetable changes made for reasons of efficiency.”
Contracts were renewed on the following bus routes:
- Service 89/90 (Glasgow Inner Circle including Southern General Hospital to suit staff finish times) awarded to First Glasgow (No 1) Ltd at a cost of £335,226 for a period of three years.
- Service 169 (Renfrew Ferry to Royal Alexandra Hospital) awarded to Gibson Direct Ltd at a cost of £188,796 for a period of three years.
- Service X6a (Johnstone - Bridge of Weir – Glasgow) awarded to McGills Bus Service Ltd at a cost of £193,890 for a period of three years.
Timetable details for all bus services are available by telephoning Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 and at travelinescotland.com.