15 September 2008
Games transport legacy support
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Murdo Fraser goes on camera for SPT at Holyrood. |
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Calls for a lasting transport legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games ring out loud and clear in the latest edition of SPT Express.
Our quarterly e-mail newsletter, which is aimed at keeping politicians, transport industry representatives and other key stakeholders updated on SPT activities, has a real Glasgow 2014 flavour.
Scottish Conservative Deputy Leader, Murdo Fraser, told SPT Express: "Public transport is going to be absolutely essential to making sure we have a successful Commonwealth Games and I think SPT has a very important role to play in making sure we achieve that objective."
In an exclusive interview, Scotland's Traffic Commissioner, Joan Aitken, paid tribute to SPT's role in bus regulation and in particular the work being done by our Bus Wardens, whom she described as her "eyes and ears" on the streets.
On the 2014 Games, the Glasgow-born commissioner said: "We want to show off Glasgow and the Commonwealth Games and we also want it to be a good experience for the people in Glasgow as well as those visitors – and there are bus operators who are letting the side down at the moment.
"Bit by bit, just the presence of the monitors and the expectations the public will have, that will serve to increase the standards. I think SPT have started on a journey which can only be good in terms of bus quality."
A delegation from SPT received an insight into legacy planning for the 2012 Olympic Games during a factfinding mission to London.
Graham Stephens, the Transport for London Games Co-ordinator, said: "Legacy started off as an after thought. Now we have established a five year investment programme using the Games as a catalyst.
"Scotland has to think about that, about changing transport priorities to match the delivery for the Commonwealth Games."
In the SPT Express 60 Second interview, Sir Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive of Scottish-based FirstGroup, said: "Glasgow, and indeed Scotland, has a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the world what a fantastic country we live in.
"Ensuring competitors and spectators alike are transported safely and reliably around the various venues is key to the success of the Games."
The new edition of SPT Express also features an interview with Subway poet-in-residence John Rice, who has just taken up his post.
John's role has been created and funded in partnership with the Scottish Arts Council.