Time for change

This year marks the 20th anniversary of bus de-regulation. Twenty years, which have seen a slump in the number of people who use buses; evening and weekend services steadily decline and more and more rural towns and villages lose lifeline public transport services.

In the West of Scotland alone, Lesmahagow, Strathaven, Netherburn, Larkhall, Shotts, Troon, Darvel, Galston, Newmilns, Stewarton, Dunlop, Neilston, Bishopton, Twechar, Gartcosh, Caldercruix and Plains have all lost their regular, direct services to Glasgow.

Bus services are hugely important, and the predominant mode of public transport in west central Scotland. In 2003/04, passengers made 449 million journeys on local buses. But even this huge number is 14% down on 1993/94.

Improving bus services is vital for a whole host of reasons: tackling climate change, improving air quality and delivering on the Scottish Executive's social inclusion and Closing the Opportunities Gap agendas.

Buses can offer a quick, flexible and cost-effective way of getting about. However, the need to make a profit means operators have to concentrate their efforts on money-making routes. De-regulation has led to over-provision on some popular routes, increasing city centre traffic congestion and pollution.

In the west of Scotland there are around 100 bus operators. Using the bus can be difficult because some operators will not publish fares or timetables, such is the level of competition in this area. In addition, passengers face an average of four service changes every working day.

The current situation of on-road congestion, over-provision on some routes, lack of consistent timetable information and poor quality vehicles is unacceptable and unsustainable. Maintaining the status quo is not an option.

We want to work with Scotland's politicians and the bus industry to create a new regulatory system. SPT has no wish to run bus services directly nor do we want to put companies out of business. However we do believe we should be able to define what services are provided and ensure fares, tickets and information are up to standard.

Right now the Executive is creating a new National Transport Strategy, SPT believes this is the ideal opportunity to address the problems with the bus industry. If you feel a change is needed please write to your local MSP at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP to make your views known. A list of MSPs is available at the scottish parliament website (opens a new window).

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