29 June 2007
SPT awards bus contracts
Measures taken to reinstate vandal-hit bus service
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has reinstated a vandal-hit bus service in North Lanarkshire as part of a series of bus contract renewals.
SPT members today (Friday 29 June) agreed to fund Service 355 Newarthill – Motherwell – North Lodge, starting in September. The service has not operated since November 2002 when it was withdrawn because of high costs mainly caused by a high frequency of anti-social behaviour and vandalism.
SPT has awarded the new three-year contract to First Glasgow at a cost of £185,858. The Partnership rejected a lower tender in favour of a more costly option which will use a fully DDA compliant vehicle equipped with CCTV and protective film on all passenger windows.
Chair of SPT, Councillor Alistair Watson said: "Our main priority is to ensure passenger safety. Given the problems this route has experienced in the past, I’ve no doubt that it’s worth spending more money on improved security measures to reassure passengers and provide them with a safer environment in which to travel."
Meanwhile, SPT has also awarded contracts for several other bus services across Strathclyde:
- The current contract for Service 337 Beith – Kilmarnock has been extended until September when a full 60-month contract which includes a school bus service to Garnock Academy will be awarded to Western Buses Ltd. The cost of the full contract will be £575,197 and will be jointly funded by SPT and North Ayrshire Council. From September, the previous link between Crosshouse Hospital and Kilmarnock will be restored in response to a number of requests. As part of this overall revision, the service will terminate at Beith rather than Kilburnie but connecting bus services are available to Beith.
- Service 356 Cumnock – Dalmellington will continue for a further five years. The renewed contract was awarded to Smiths Coaches at a cost of £419,752. Funding is split between SPT and East Ayrshire Council.
- SPT has renewed its contract with Western Buses Ltd to continue the Carrick Ring'n'Ride Service 700 for 34 months at a cost of £302,594.
- Cumbrae Coaches will provide Service 320 Millport – Cumbrae Slip for the next five years after SPT awarded a renewed contract worth £75,600
ends