1 August 2008
Clydebank debut for bus wardens
Our Bus Wardens Scheme is going from strength to strength, with the roll-out of the scheme into West Dunbartonshire.
SPT, West Dunbartonshire Council and bus industry representatives attended an official launch of the scheme in Clydebank on Friday.
Our Service Compliance Inspectors will now work on behalf of the council and the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland to make sure that bus companies in the area comply with bus industry regulations.
West Dunbartonshire Council has joined Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire in adopting the scheme.
SPT currently has 10 wardens in post and this number is set to rise to 14 in the coming months.
Chair of SPT, Councillor Alistair Watson, said: "We want to make sure bus operators are doing what they’ve agreed to do. Bus services have to improve if we are to encourage more people to use them.
"The bus wardens will ensure operators run the services they have registered with the traffic commissioner and to the standard required.
"This scheme began running last November in Renfrewshire and we now have six councils signed up for it. The high visibility presence of bus wardens working in these areas is having a positive effect on the behaviour of bus companies."
Council leader Iain Robertson was joined at the event in Chalmers Street by fellow local councillor and SPT member William Hendrie and Angus Bodie, manager of roads.
Mr Robertson said: "This is about the council, SPT and operators working to improve the level of service.
"I think it is significant that we're here today in this particular part of Chalmers Street because this is one of the busiest transport links in West Dunbartonshire - it doesn't get busier than this.
"It is appropriate that West Dunbartonshire takes part in this process and I'm delighted as council leader to be here today for this event."
Councillor Hendrie said: "We welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with the Commissioner's office, SPT and of course the bus operators to make travelling in West Dunbartonshire more pleasant."
Eric Stewart, director of bus operations at SPT, said it was good to see bus operators well represented at the meeting, which demonstrated the commitment to "raising the bar" on bus industry standards.