S.P.T. Interchange Issue 11, published February 2006.
Front page headline: Landmark day for Larkhall.
Friday 9 December 2005 proved to be a momentous day for the Lanarkshire town of Larkhall. Crowds of local people and representatives from the rail industry gathered in and around Larkhall station to await the arrival of a very special train.
Amid the skirl of pipes and the sound of loud applause, Scotland's First Minister, the Right Honourable Jack McConnell MSP disembarked from the first passenger train to stop at Larkhall since its closure in 1968. He was met on the platform by a group of excited, flag waving local school children.
Accompanied by S.P.T. Chair, Councillor Alistair Watson, the First Minister took time out of his busy Holyrood schedule to officially open Scotland's largest rail infrastructure project in more than 25 years.
The line is the final stage of the £35 million Larkhall-Milngavie project that has already delivered one new station at Kelvindale. The largest element of the project provides three new stations, Larkhall, Merryton and Chatelherault, to provide the Lanarkshire communities with rail access to Glasgow Central via Hamilton Central.
During the official opening ceremony, First Minister Jack McConnell said: "Today marks the end of nearly four decades of waiting for the communities in the area. The opening of this line will breathe new life into Lanarkshire. It will connect people with jobs and businesses with customers. It will make sure that an area that has faced and overcome many challenges can continue to grow and prosper.
"Today is an historic day. I congratulate everyone who has been involved in making this project happen. It is our first fully re-opened branch line in a quarter of a century. It won't be our last."
S.P.T. Chair, Councillor Alistair Watson, highlighted S.P.T's role in the successful delivery of the project, saying: "S.P.T. is proud that after years of hard work, we have delivered, on time and on budget, the first railway line with stations in Scotland since the Argyle line was opened in 1979 - another S.P.T.-led project. Only through S.P.T's ability to deliver large-scale regional projects has this been possible.
"As well as Larkhall re-joining the rail network, today's official opening sees the start of a host of improvements including an increase from 12 to 14 trains per hour between the city centre and Partick, 71 trains a day between Larkhall and the city centre and an extra two services per hour between Milngavie and Glasgow in the off peak."
When the formalities were completed, guests boarded the train for the journey to Chatelherault station and a short bus transfer to the nearby Hunting Lodge for a reception. The First Minister had the opportunity to meet children from local schools who had participated in a Rail Safety Poster Design Competition to warn of the dangers of trespassing on the railway line.
The competition was judged by a panel led by British Transport Police Community Safety Sergeant, Allan Stewart.
The winner of the best poster prize was Amie Muir, a Primary 4 pupil at Glengowan Primary School, Larkhall, who was presented with her prize by the First Minister.
This feature is illustrated with a photograph of the First Minister and Councillor Watson greeting the crowd on the platform at Larkhall station.
End of story.
Front page, Stop Press.
Ron Culley, currently the Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, is to head the west of Scotland regional transport partnership when it takes over on 1 April. The new organisation is to be known as the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and will keep the S.P.T. logo and branding. The next edition of Interchange will carry a full profile of SPT's new Chief Executive.
End of story.
Page two, first story headline: It's all change at Partick station.
On 21 November 2005, work started on the £12.3 million project to completely rebuild Partick station. The 16-month project will see all train, Subway and bus services continue to run normally while the old station is demolished and the new one is constructed.
Partick is Scotland's fifth busiest public transport interchange with 4 million passengers passing through it each year. The new station will revitalise the busy facility and make it easier for travellers to change from one type of transport to another. It will ensure that passengers have a more comfortable travel experience. The new station will also provide lift access to the heavy rail platforms.
The all-new Partick interchange will be fitted with improved customer information displays and state-of-the-art CCTV coverage throughout.
The initial work has involved setting up the site compound and removing suspended ceilings inside the concourse area. This has allowed access for survey work for the next phase of the project which involves creating a 'crash deck' to allow the roof to be removed in stages.
The 'crash deck' is a complex piece of engineering which has to carry all the overhead wiring and ducting for the lights, heating and CCTV while they are transferred from the old roof structure into the new one.
Councillor Alistair Watson, Chair of S.P.T., said: "The current station is now over 25 years old and everyone agrees it urgently needs upgrading to meet the increasing number of passengers using the station and to provide better access, better facilities and state-of-the-art passenger information.
"This is the biggest non-city station project in Scotland and I am certain the new station will be welcomed by passengers and local residents. It will vastly improve the area round Merkland Street."
A key part of the project to date has been keeping local residents informed about how the project is progressing and any work which could cause disruption. S.P.T. has already sent two letters to over 700 local addresses, hosted a public information evening, set up a website and carried out an extensive programme of advertising to keep residents and businesses up to date with the work programme.
This story is illustrated with an artist's impression of the new station building.
End of story.
Page two, second story headline: Rail figures record all-time high.
Patronage figures for rail services in the S.P.T. area look set to hit an all time high, with an anticipated 48 million passengers for the year 2005-06.
In 2004-05 almost 45.5 million people used the S.P.T. rail network, then the highest figure ever recorded. The new projection shows a 2.5 million increase over 2004-05 and an increase of 11.5 million passengers since 1995-96.
As well as an overall increase in passenger numbers, the S.P.T. rail network was used by 4 million passengers over a four week period between September and October last year, giving an average patronage of 1 million passengers each week for the first time ever.
S.P.T. Chair, Councillor Alistair Watson, predicts that 50 million passengers could be using the rail network within the next couple of years, as S.P.T. delivers further improvements in public transport across Strathclyde. The first stage of the £35 million Larkhall-Milngavie project, a new station at Kelvindale, opened ahead of schedule in September 2005. The final stage of the project to re-open the Larkhall branch line and build three new rail stations officially opened on 9 December 2005.
"I think the increase in patronage shown here demonstrates the value of a good working relationship between S.P.T. and franchise operator, First ScotRail," said Councillor Watson. "We share a common objective as we both strive to continuously improve rail services in the west of Scotland.
"We are committed to attracting more people to use these services."
End of story.
Page two, third story headline: S.P.T. adds late night train services.
New late night train services in Strathclyde came into operation in December 2005 after being given the go-ahead by S.P.T.
The most recent timetable additions offered passengers an improved night time service over the busy Christmas period.
The improvements, which started in December 2005, provide a 0015 train from Glasgow Central to Ayr between Tuesday and Saturday, a 2345 service from Glasgow Central to Ardrossan South Beach between Monday and Friday, and a 2310 train from Helensburgh Central to Drumgelloch between Monday and Saturday.
In addition, a further service, a 2350 train from Glasgow Central to Gourock operating on Thursday nights, was approved at a committee meeting in November 2005.
Current services, which run from Glasgow Central to Gourock on Friday and Saturday nights, have consistently seen excellent passenger uptake and it is anticipated that a late Thursday night service will also be well used.
S.P.T. Chair, Councillor Alistair Watson said: "We're pleased to be able to introduce these new rail services which will ensure people can use the train late into the evening. This is another example of S.P.T. updating and improving services for passengers across Strathclyde."
Managing Director of First ScotRail, Mary Dickson, said: "First ScotRail works closely with the Scottish Executive and other industry partners to provide the best service possible for our passengers. From the start of our winter timetable, we will be running additional late night services from Glasgow to Ardrossan, Ayr and Gourock, which will provide even more opportunities for passengers to travel home safely after a night out in the city centre."
End of story.
Page three, first story headline:
Councillor Alistair Watson, Chair of S.P.T., has been appointed to run the new west of Scotland Regional Transport Partnership. His appointment was approved at the shadow RTP's first meeting on 12 December 2005. The R.T.P. takes over from S.P.T. on 1 April 2006.
The main function of the new R.T.P. is to draw up a regional transport strategy. It's likely that this will build on the Joint Transport Strategy already prepared by S.P.T. and Westrans.
In addition to its statutory duty to prepare a regional transport strategy, the new R.T.P. will also take over SPT's current functions. The Parliamentary Order, which will enact the transfer, has still to be finalised and passed but it's expected that the RTP's functions will include:
Transport Scotland, the national transport agency is introducing a national concessionary bus scheme for elderly and disabled people in April 2006. This will take over from the Strathclyde Concessionary Fares Scheme. The non-bus elements of the scheme, concessionary ticketing on trains, Glasgow's Subway and ferries, will still be handled by S.P.T. and subsequently the R.T.P. Responsibility for agency agreements such as school transport and providing bus shelters will also transfer to the R.T.P.
The R.T.P. will not take over SPT's rail powers. Under the terms of the Transport (Scotland) Act these transferred to the Scottish Ministers in November 2005 and S.P.T. ceased to be a signatory to the Rail Franchise.
This doesn't mean that S.P.T. or the R.T.P. will no longer have a role to play in the rail network. Legal moves are underway to allow S.P.T. and the R.T.P. to enter into agreements with Scottish Ministers to provide additional rail services. The power to invest in rail development with the franchisee, Network Rail and the Rolling Stock Companies will continue to be available.
Rail travel is vitally important to the west of Scotland and the Glasgow conurbation in particular. When preparing its regional transport strategy, the R.T.P. will have a statutory duty to produce a strategy in relation to rail.
The R.T.P. is classed as a stakeholder under the terms of the Rail Franchise. This entitles it to be consulted on its timetable requirements for its area, including their delivery and ongoing performance. It also requires First ScotRail:
This story is illustrated with a photograph of a Subway train at Partick station.
End of story.
Page three second story headline: Rail staff transfer of Executive.
Under the Transport (Scotland) Act all of SPT's powers under the Rail Franchise Agreement passed to the Scottish Ministers. On 25 November 2005, 27 members of SPT's Rail Franchise Management (R.F.M.) Team transferred to the Scottish Executive. The transfer followed the breakdown of 15 months of talks designed to draw up an agency agreement where S.P.T. would exercise its former Rail Franchise functions on behalf of the Scottish Executive.
The negotiations foundered over SPT's concerns that the agreement that the Scottish Executive was proposing didn't give adequate job security for staff.
With the failure to reach an agreement, Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) legislation took effect and the RFM staff followed their work to the Scottish Executive.
End of story.
On pages 4 to 6 there is a selection of photographs from the official opening of the Larkhall Line on 9 December 2005.
1. The Customer Information System screen on the platform displays a message of welcome to guests at Larkhall station.
2. A traditional pipe band provides the soundtrack to the First Minister's arrival.
3. Guests arrive at Larkhall as local people look on.
4. The first train in almost 40 years, Class 334 unit 21, arrives at Larkhall.
5. South Lanarkshire Provost Mushtaq Ahmed, wearing his chain of office, stands at the microphone and praises the new rail link.
6. Media interest in the Larkhall launch is high, with many reporters and photographers in attendance.
7. Local schoolchildren and Alistair Watson join the First Minister in unveiling a commemorative plaque.
8. More children join in the celebration. They are waving S.P.T. flags.
9. The First Minister meets Mr George Wallace, who worked on the Larkhall line until it closed in 1968.
10. Surrounded by cameras, Class 334 Unit 21 is named 'Larkhall' to mark the occasion by the First Minister.
11. Celebrations continue at the new Merryton station.
12. The First Minister cuts the ribbon to officially open Merryton station. The Provost and many schoolchildren are with him.
13. Guests disembark the train at Chatelherault station, greeted by another piper in full dress uniform.
14. Poster competition winner Amie Muir from Glengowan Primary with First Minister the Right Honourable Jack McConnell MSP.
15. The winning poster design is entitled "Use your brain, don't go near a train". On the left of the poster is a young boy playing football on the track; this is headed "unsafe". On the right of the poster, the boy is playing in a field away from the track; this is headed "safe".
End of feature.
Page seven, first headline: High praise for Sunday service.
SPT's popular Dial-a-Bus services, which provide on-demand transport for elderly and disabled people, have received a huge boost in areas across Strathclyde. The service has until now been unavailable on Sundays, but now Dial-a-Bus users in a number of different locations can travel seven days a week.
Extending the service to include Sundays has long been one of SPT's objectives, supporting its key policy of making public transport accessible and affordable to all sections of the community. Dial-a-Bus is available to people who are unable to use, or have difficulty using ordinary buses and who hold a Strathclyde concessionary travel card.
Residents of Clydebank, Cumbernauld, East Kilbride, south-west Glasgow, Hamilton, Inverclyde, north-east Glasgow and south Ayrshire will benefit from the new services, which began on Sunday 6 November.
Local councillors from each of the regions have spoken out in support of the extended services. SPTA member and North Lanarkshire Councillor, Barry McCulloch, is pleased with the service extension and said: "This is very good news for the people of Cumbernauld who have mobility problems. Providing a Sunday service will allow them to get to the shops or go to church and I congratulate S.P.T. for funding this valuable service improvement.
"It's a fantastic extension to what was already a high quality service."
This story is illustrated with a picture of Councillor McCulloch at the launch of the Cumbernauld Sunday service with SPTA member and North Lanarkshire Councillor, Elizabeth Gemmell, and SPTA Vice Chair, Councillor Tom Selfridge. The M90 bus is in the background.
End of story.
Page seven, second story headline: Pilot scheme for new information system.
S.P.T. is running a trial, funded by the Scottish Executive, to assess new technology that provides bus timetable information at 12 selected bus stops throughout Strathclyde.
The Intelligent Bus Information System, known as IBIS, provides electronic bus timetable information in an audio-visual format using wireless technology, making journeys by public transport easier for all members of the community.
The new technology also has the potential for real-time messaging, for example to remind people of the restricted services operating on a public holiday.
One new prototype bus stop unit has been installed in each of the 12 local council areas which make up Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority, and public opinion on the new system will be sought throughout the trial period for evaluation purposes. If the trial proves successful, the operating technology can be further developed to include real-time bus information.
S.P.T. Director of Operations, Douglas Ferguson, welcomed the development saying: "We are making it easier for all sections of the community to use bus services and at the same time, improving the quality of information people need for their journey.
"The pilot scheme is all about getting feedback from users about their experience of the new system and I would encourage people across the Strathclyde area to give us their reaction."
The pilot scheme runs until Mach 2006.
This story is illustrated with a picture from the launch of the Helensbugh prototype in Colquhoun Square, showing Argyll & Bute Councillor and SPTA member, George Freeman, Ms Esther Kurby with her guide dog Wallace, and Campbell Diverty from the council's Roads & Transportation Department.
End of story.
Back page, first story headline: Conference a "fantastic" success.
Partners from SPT's Playscheme initiative gathered in the Buchanan Arms Hotel in Drymen on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October, for the annual Playscheme Conference. S.P.T. Director General, Aidan ODonnell, was on hand to award the prizes.
The event featured a prize-giving ceremony for the fifth Strathclyde Passenger Transport travel ticket design competition, which this year attracted a record number of entries.
Winner of the Standard Playscheme Travel Pass category was Stephanie Scott aged 10, who attends North Road Playscheme in Bellshill. Rachel Dempsey aged 10, of Summerston After School, Glasgow, submitted the winning design in the Freedom Pass category.
The junior artists' designs will appear as tickets, used by more than 350 Playschemes and after school care groups, across the west of Scotland.
This story is illustrated with a photograph of the winners holding framed versions of their winning designs.
End of story.
Back page, second story headline: Young artists' brush with stardom.
S.P.T. and partners, the Scottish Retail Property Limited Partnership, announced the winner of the East Kilbride Bus Station nursery schools art competition on 30 September 2005. Scooping first prize of £1,000 was Natalie Gilmour of Ballerup Nursery, while the second prize of £750 was awarded to Alasdair Hopkins, formerly of Heathery Knowe Nursery and now Greenhill Primary School.
The competition was opened to local nurseries in June 2005 to mark the completion of the £6 million redevelopment of the bus station. Winner Natalie (age 6) did a felt-tip drawing of 'The Big Bouncy Castle', while runner-up Alasdair painted "The Bus", his impression of one of SPT's single-decker buses.
Their winning works of art have been blown up in size and are on display in the East Kilbride Shopping Centre and S.P.T. Travel Centre, along with all the other entries.
Chris Grundy of the East Kilbride Shopping Centre was joined by Councillor Davie McLachlan, Vice Chair of S.P.T., to congratulate the young winners.
This story is illustrated with a photograph of the winners with their winning designs.
Back page: News in brief (three stories).
First story: Crackdown on ticket fraud.
A major crackdown on ticket fraud was launched over the festive season targeting those who travel on rail, bus and Subway services with fake, out-of-date, altered or inappropriate tickets.
Strathclyde Passenger Transport joined forces with the British Transport Police, Strathclyde Police, First ScotRail, First Bus, Arriva Scotland West and Stagecoach Western Buses for the pre-Christmas clampdown.
It's estimated that ticket cheats cost public transport users around £5 million per year. The penalty for those caught trying to dodge their fares is a possible court appearance and a hefty fine.
S.P.T. Chair, Councillor Alistair Watson, said: "We are determined to stamp out this kind of ticket fraud. The money lost could be spent improving the public transport system and keeping fares down."
End of story.
Second story: Glasgow Airport Rail Link Bill.
On 31 January 2006, S.P.T. introduce the Glasgow Airport Rail Link Bill Private Bill to the Scottish Parliament.
The Bill's introduction saw the start of a 60-day objection period where members of the public and organisations can formally object to the proposed rail link.
Copies of the Bill can be downloaded from the Scottish Parliament website www.scottish.parliament.uk and at five public libraries: Paisley Central, Renfrew, Cardonald, Ibrox and Hillhead.
Councillor Alistair Watson, Chair of S.P.T. said: "This brings a fast, direct rail link between Glasgow Central and Glasgow Airport one step nearer."
End of story.
Third story: Call for fast track to Scotland.
The leaders of Glasgow and Edinburgh City Council have joined forces to fight to stop Scotland's economy hitting the buffers while its English and European competitors power ahead on dedicated high speed rail links.
Speaking at the Scottish Association for Public Transport's High Speed Rail Conference on 9 December, Councillor Alistair Watson, Chair of S.P.T., said: "The Strategic Rail Authority commissioned WSAtkins to prepare a study into high speed rail links in August 2001. The resulting report was updated as recently as February 2005 and offers Scotland grounds for optimism and concern.
"Scotland's cities need a competitive edge, not just in Britain but in Europe as a whole. High speed rail links can deliver this. But without them, Scotland could become an economic backwater at the end of the line.
"Scotland risks lagging behind the rest of Britain as well as Europe because we don't have any similar initiatives and we are last on the list for a high speed rail link until the money can be found. Glasgow and Edinburgh are the economic powerhouses of Scotland and we need a high speed rail link to connect us to the rest of Britain. We also need a link between the two cities so we can deliver the maximum benefits from their complementary economic roles."
End of story.
End of Issue 10.
Note: you can send feedback to Interchange, Public Relations and Marketing, SPT, Consort House, 12 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 1HN.
Telephone: 0141 333 3282.
email: interchange@spt.co.uk