18 January 2008
SPT steps in to save bus service
Plans to withdraw a vital Glasgow bus service have been reversed following intervention by SPT.
First Glasgow had announced its intention to withdraw the evening and Sunday service between Glasgow City Centre and Mosspark - Service 59 - from 26 January.
However, at a meeting on 18 January, SPT members agreed to continue the service for a further three months at a cost of £638 per week. Prices will also be sought for the long-term operation of the route.
The SPT-funded service will begin on 27 January and will continue to be operated by First Glasgow. The previous timetable remains unchanged.
SPT’s Director of Bus Operations, Eric Stewart, said: "Under current rules, commercial operators are free to withdraw services at any time, even if it leaves people without a bus link.
"SPT funds socially necessary bus services to try to ensure nobody is left without access to public transport. This can mean that we end up paying a commercial operator to continue a service they have just withdrawn.
"We’re pleased to be able to fund these evening and Sunday services as they are very important to the local community.
"However, we simply cannot afford to fund every service that is withdrawn by private operators. For that reason, we are working with our bus industry and local authority partners to come up with solutions to help provide Strathclyde with a first-class bus system."
Timetable details for all bus services are available by telephoning Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 and at travelinescotland.com.
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