10 September 2007
SPT and North Lanarkshire Council to improve availability of travel information.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is to consider proposals to introduce up to 10 travel information points in First Stop Shops across North Lanarkshire.
The proposals, which would replace the current Cumbernauld Travel Centre, are to be discussed at a meeting of the SPT Operations Committee on Friday (14 September).
A recent review of travel information provision in North Lanarkshire concluded that the public would be better served if SPT and North Lanarkshire Council joined forces.
SPT has already successfully established a travel point in the council’s First Stop Shop community facility in Airdrie. Subject to agreement, SPT will now introduce travel points in the region’s 10 other First Stop Shops, including the First Stop Shop in Cumbernauld town centre.
Gordon Maclennan, Assistant Chief Executive of SPT said: “We are confident that the proposed arrangement will provide passengers with more accessible travel information at convenient locations across the region, and I am pleased that we’ve been able to work closely with North Lanarkshire Council to come up with this proposal.
“Our aim is to widen the availability of information for our customers. Having looked at several options, we feel the best solution is to close the existing travel centre when its lease expires in May and instead create 10 travel points in First Stop Shops across North Lanarkshire – one of which will be in Cumbernauld town centre. That way, people will be able to access their local travel point, or get information via the internet, rather than have to travel to one central location.”
SPT Vice-Chair and North Lanarkshire councillor, David Fagan added, “Staff from North Lanarkshire Council have been working closely with SPT to develop this initiative that will deliver better and wider bus information throughout the area and provide an opportunity for local businesses to be involved in making ticket sales more accessible.
“In Cumbernauld the proposed electronic information system will enhance the work recently undertaken by the council that has seen the introduction of bus stop restrictions and separate lay over areas designed to improve safety at the bus stops.”
To improve travel information in the key arrival and departure point, Central Way, SPT plans to expand its Electronic Passenger Information system at the bus stops in this location. The electronic system provides timetable information about bus departures 24 hours a day and works successfully in SPT’s bus stations. Paper based information at each departure point will also be improved.
In addition, SPT is introducing new measures to make it easier for customers to purchase tickets and apply for concessionary card travel passes locally. These include:
- online ticket purchase facility;
- network of ZoneCard ticket agents in North Lanarkshire expanded from 3 to 12;
- possible provision of Concessionary Travel Scheme agents in all First Stop Shops;
- availability of SPT ZoneCards at First ScotRail staffed stations.
ends
Note to editors
- No job losses will arise as a result of the planned closure of Cumbernauld Travel Centre. Three staff members involved have been advised and offered redeployment within SPT.
- SPT’s Cumbernauld Travel Centre opened in 1991 but customer numbers have dropped and there has been a decline in ticket sales.