SPT’s Operations Committee today (January 20) agreed to continue subsidising many vital bus routes which serve communities in the region, at a total cost of £2,844,552.

Sixteen contracts were approved to maintain key public transport links across five council areas in Strathclyde from July 2012.

Chair of SPT’s Operations Committee Denis McKenna said “I am delighted that SPT is maintaining bus services in areas of need and it is great news that we have been able to work with operators to keep these services running across the five local authorities.

“Public funds are growing increasingly limited and at the same time, the commercial market is contracting but we are determined to continue to play an essential role in protecting bus services across East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire Councils.”

The contract renewals agreed at today’s meeting are as follows:

Glasgow City Council

• Service 2 Toryglen – Croftfoot (First Glasgow)
• Service 65 Glasgow – Bridgeton (First Glasgow)
• Service 8 Maryhill – Riddrie (First Glasgow)
• Service 329 Glasgow City Centre – Stobhill Hospital (Henderson Travel)
• Service 153 Glasgow City Centre – Silverburn Bus Station (First Glasgow)
• Service 121 Govan – Victoria Infirmary (First Glasgow) it is necessary for

SPT to purchase a bus for this service at an approximate cost of £80,000

• Service 17 Townhead – Coatbridge (First Glasgow)
• Service 213. 213A Glasgow City Centre – Queenslie/Bargeddie (Henderson Travel)

North Lanarkshire Council

• Services 343, 346 Cumbernauld Local Services  (operated by First Glasgow using an SPT vehicle)
• Services 93/103 Cleland – Wishaw (First Glasgow) it is necessary for SPT to purchase a bus for this service at an approximate cost of £80,000
• Service 17 Townhead – Coatbridge (First Glasgow)
• Service 213 213A Glasgow City Centre – Queenslie/Bargeddie (Henderson Travel)

Renfrewshire Council

• Service 520/521 Bishopton Local – Bishopton – Erskine  (Dickson of Erskine)
• Service 340 Helensburgh/Vale of Leven – Royal Alexandra Hospital (Wilson’s of Rhu) This service is mainly funded by the NHS

Argyll and Bute

• Service 316 Helensburgh – Garelochhead – Coulport (Garelochhead Coaches)
• Service 340 Helensburgh/Vale of Leven – Royal Alexandra Hospital (Wilson’s of Rhu). This service is mainly funded by the NHS

West Dunbartonshire

• Service 340 Vale of Leven/Helensburgh – Royal Alexandra Hospital (Wilson’s of Rhu). This service is mainly funded by the NHS
• Service 305, 306, 309 Luss, Alexandria – Helensburgh, Old Bonhill/Alexandria – Balmaha (Loch Lomond Bus Services).

SPT currently subsidises dozens of local bus services across west central Scotland which are vital to communities, but not provided by private operators.

Timetable details for all bus services are available by telephoning Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 and at www.travelinescotland.com.