23 April 2008
Stagecoach boss backs SPT bus plans
The chief executive of international transport group Stagecoach has given his support to SPT’s measures aimed at improving bus operations in West Central Scotland.
Brian Souter, co-founder of Stagecoach, has also called for action to introduce bus network enhancement schemes, including hard shoulder running and Park and Ride at peak times.
In an exclusive interview for SPT Express - SPT's newsletter for politicians, stakeholders and other interested parties - Mr Souter backed the partnership's Five Point Plan for bus operations and initiatives like Bus Wardens.
Mr Souter said the Five Point Plan, which is aimed at improving bus travel across the SPT area, was a positive step forward.
He said: "I think it’s a good idea. People need to have a framework and the standards do need to be improved and uplifted."
One example of this has been the launch of the Bus Wardens scheme. After a successful pilot in Paisley, SPT's wardens - or 'Service Compliance Inspectors' - have now started work on behalf of South Lanarkshire Council and the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland.
Mr Souter said he welcomed their introduction and suggested that their role could be extended beyond regulation.
He said: "If a passenger sees there is a warden they take great comfort from that.
"I actually think something we need to think about perhaps doing more of, going forward, is the security issue and the warden could be an important part of meeting that as well."
Mr Souter, whose global group has massive transport interests in the UK, US and Canada, said the wardens’ work in cracking down on unscrupulous 'cowboy operators' should also be welcomed.
He said: "There are some people in the business that are using such poor quality vehicles.
"I mean, they buy old Stagecoach buses and they do that because the Stagecoach buses are in very good condition.
"Unfortunately they can run them for a long time after we're finished with them.
"But I think it actually detracts from the public transport offering. In the long run it puts people off travelling and I think that there really does need to be a leveling up exercise and that's why I'm a supporter of SPT's policies.”
The Stagecoach chief said more could be done to encourage commuters out of their cars and into buses.
He said more Park and Ride sites should be opened up around Glasgow and into Ayrshire and the innovative use of hard shoulder running explored.
A successful scheme whereby buses can use the motorway hard shoulder during peak times has been introduced in Belfast, and Mr Souter said Glasgow should learn from that example.
He said: "This is completely do-able and the lesson from Belfast is a lesson that needs to be very well learned. We should be pushing ahead with this as soon as possible."
Click here to access the first edition of SPT Express (opens a new window).