4 December 2007
SPT shares vision for bus industry
Delegates give seminar presentation thumbs up
At a seminar held in Glasgow yesterday, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) shared its vision for bus services in the west of Scotland with an audience of politicians, bus operators, as well as representatives from the Scottish Government and the Confederation of Passenger Transport.
The main theme of SPT's Director of Bus Operations, Eric Stewart's presentation was the importance of partnership working to improve the quality of the bus service travel experience. Bus services account for 78% of the public transport journeys in Strathclyde. It is the workhorse of the public transport network because of its accessibility and flexibility.
Mr Stewart set out the 5-point plan to work with member councils to deliver improvements:
- SPT offers to act as an agent for member councils to regulate compliance requirements for the operators of local bus services;
- SPT offers to carry out a survey of the existing bus service provision in each council area to highlight overall provision and identify gaps in services;
- Given SPT's unique position to view bus service provision across the Strathclyde area, member councils could utilise the services of SPT's Network Design Team to devise the optimum integrated public transport journeys.
He emphasised that these first three stages would form a sound foundation for SPT to lead on developing Statutory Quality Partnerships with the bus industry, on behalf of member councils.
Improving the availability of accurate bus timetable information is key. SPT will seek agreement with member councils an accelerated programme to enhance bus service information. This programme will deliver more information points in different places, bus timetables will be on display at bus stops.
Renfrewshire Council was the first council to sign up to the 5-point plan and the scheme, launched in Paisley on 14 November is already making a difference.
In the first week alone, SPT's service compliance inspectors working in Paisley identified over 40 instances of buses not displaying the correct service number and destination screens.
They recorded 70 instances of buses breaching existing traffic regulation conditions by remaining at bus stops after passengers had boarded or alighted. There were also ten instances of bus drivers leaving their vehicles unattended while they took breaks.
South Lanarkshire Council and East Renfrewshire Council have also committed to working in partnership with SPT to drive up standards for the travelling public.
In addition, Mr Stewart introduced the possibility of variable departure charges from bus stations, dependent on vehicle efficiency. For example, buses which cause the most environmental damage could be charged more whereas those operators who invest in greener, more fuel efficient vehicles will reap benefits by paying lower charges.
Mr Stewart said: "The 5-point plan was well received and I'm delighted with the high level of support our plans generated. Partnership working is key to delivering tangible improvements in the quality of bus services and although it's early days, the experience in Paisley shows that operators also stand to benefit from raising the bar on standards. They have already reported an increase in revenue as more people choose to travel by bus."
Marjory Rodger, Chair of the Confederation of Passenger Transport Scotland Director of Government Relations said: "The Confederations of Passenger Transport welcomes SPT's commitment to work in partnership with Scotland's bus industry. Both sides have a role to play in ensuring Strathclyde attains a connected, accessible and reliable bus network."
ends