5 September 2008
City bus service contract awarded
A much-needed bus service in the north of Glasgow will continue, thanks to investment from SPT.
We subsidise dozens of local bus services across west central Scotland which are deemed to be socially necessary, but not provided by private operators.
SPT members have approved the award of a contract worth £7,378 to provide a Saturday service between Anniesland and Maryhill for the next year. Tenders for the service were invited in early June.
From 1 November, it will be provided by First Glasgow as an extension of its existing 94 (Knightswood – Anniesland Cross) service, giving a through route between Knightswood and Maryhill via Anniesland.
SPT’s Director of Bus Operations, Eric Stewart said: "I am delighted we can provide this service. Some people would be cut off from public transport if it wasn’t for SPT and local authority funding to bridge the gaps in provision.
"However, we have limited funds and unfortunately we simply can’t afford to subsidise all the routes that private operators choose not to serve.
"That’s why we are working closely with bus operators and our local authority partners to come up with a solution which will provide Strathclyde with a first-class bus system."
Glasgow Citybus service 82 will continue to operate without subsidy between Maryhill, Kelvindale, Dorchester Avenue and Gartnavel Hospital on Mondays to Fridays.
First service 94 will also be extended on those days to operate without subsidy between Maryhill, Kelvindale, Dorchester Avenue, Anniesland and Knightswood.
As a result, subsidised service 130 (Maryhill to Anniesland) will be withdrawn after Saturday, 25 October.
Timetable details for all bus services are available by telephoning Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 and on the Traveline Scotland website.