18 July 2003
Rural bus boost for Three Valleys
Rural residents in the Three Valleys area are benefiting from a new bookable bus service thanks to Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) launching a new Ring 'n' Ride service this week.
The new on-demand service takes rural residents from as near to their door as possible to anywhere in the rural Three Valleys area, and also provides vital links to town centres, leisure facilities, hospitals and train stations.
Residents can use the service by simply calling the booking line in advance. Busy, high-tech passengers can even book the service by sending a text message. The service is for everyone, be they sixteen or sixty, and operates every day of the week from early morning until late in the evening.
This is the sixth Ring 'n' Ride service in Strathclyde and covers the largest area. It is operated by two brand-new low-floor buses which are fully wheelchair accessible and have CCTV-covered cycle racks.
Vice Chair of SPT, Councillor David McLachlan said this new service would make a big difference to people in the area and would build on the success of the other five Ring 'n' Ride services. At the launch Cllr McLachlan said:
"Following a review of our local Dial-a-Bus and subsidised bus services in the area, we decided to pull together resources and provide this great new on-demand service which will improve public transport for communities in the Three Valleys area by providing them with a bus service that takes them where they want to go, when they want to go.
"We recognised that in much of the area there were pockets where no regular bus service ran, which caused social exclusion for residents without access to a car. For too long people without cars or the money for taxis have had to rely on infrequent local services or had no service at all."
"Ring'n'Ride is the equivalent of every rural resident having their own personal, invisible bus stop outside their door! The service provides residents from outlying areas lifeline access to town centres, train stations, leisure facilities and also Hairmyres and Wishaw hospitals.
"To ensure everyone knows about the service, we are distributing approximately 20,000 leaflets giving information on the service to all houses in the Three Valleys area. Most of these were sent out last month and the remaining leaflets will be sent within the next two weeks.
"Ring 'n' Ride will make a real difference to residents in the Three Valleys area, providing them with a flexible service every day of the week. And thanks to funding from the Scottish Executive we have been able to provide an evening service until half past eleven every night, and also a Sunday service."
"People living in rural areas such as Three Valleys have particular needs, and SPT is committed to continuing to improve rural public transport to address these needs. I am very proud to launch this new Ring 'n' Ride, and I am sure the service will be very successful and strongly encourage everyone to take full advantage of it."
People wishing to book the service or register for text message booking, or simply looking for more information should phone the booking line on 0845 123 5046. Passengers should please note that bookings can be made up to two hours before travel, but it is recommended that bookings are made the day before.
The bus operates Monday to Saturday between the hours of 0700 and 2330, and on Sundays between 0900 and 2330.
The Ring'n'Ride service is operated by Henderson Travel on behalf of SPT, and the buses are fully wheelchair accessible. Normal bus fares apply, however SPT concession travel cards are valid on the service, as are ZoneCards and Daytripper tickets.
Just some of the areas in which the Three Valleys Ring 'n' Ride operates are: Ashgill, Auchenheath, Blackwood, Boghead, Chapelton, Coalburn, Dillarburn, Douglas, Douglas Water, Drumclog, Glassford, Glespin, Hawksland, Kirkfieldbank, Kirkmuirhill, Lesmahagow, Muirkirk, Netherburn, New Trows, Rigside, Sandford, Sandilands, Stonehouse, and Strathaven.
The bus allows links between any of the places in this area, and also from this main operating area to Crossford, Darvel, East Kilbride, Hairmyres Hospital, Hamilton, Lanark, Larkhall Cross, and Wishaw.
On Fridays, registered Dial-a-Bus passengers can also use the service to go to Carstairs and Carnwath.
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