SPT publications
Interchange Issue 13, published October 2006
Time for action on bus service re-regulation.
SPT's campaign to review the way buses are regulated is gaining increasing support. Thirty-three MSPs, a quarter of the Parliament, have supported a motion criticising recent service cuts and calling for Local Authorities to be given more control over bus services. The issue proved popular enough to be chosen for debate at Holyrood.
Pauline McNeill MSP, who lodged th motion, started the discussion by acknowledging deregulation has brought benefits but said it was failing to meet the needs of Scotland's bus passengers.
"If we consider how the unregulated framework for bus services has worked in practice, it is clear that the balance has swung too far against the interests of the people whom we represent - not just the people who most rely on bus services because they have no choice about using another mode of transport, but the people whom we want to use the bus instead of their cars, as part of a contribution to a sustainable environment."
All of the MSPs who spoke acknowledged a change is needed and the general mood was in favour of increased regulation.
In his closing remarks, Minister for Transport, Tavish Scott, said the regulatory system would be examined as part of the bus action plan.
At the national party conferences there has been great deal of support for giving Local Authorities more powers over bus services. Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander made a commitment to tackling the problem and promised "real powers" for the Local Authorities during his conference speech. Delegates at the Liberal Democrat National Conference also supported changing the regulatory system as well as ending the centralised approach to transport planning.
This is not an academic debate, there is a very real need for action. The Evening Times' recent Get Glasgow Moving campaign showed many people are increasingly dissatisfied with the level of service provided by the bus industry and their lack of accountability.
SPT has no wish to run bus services directly nor do we want to put companies out of business. However we do believe we should be able to define what services are provided and ensure fares, tickets and information are up to standard. To this end SPT plans to host a conference later this year to bring together all the involved parties to help reach an agreement on the way forward.
End of story.
GARL latest.
SPT and BAA have come to an agreement which allows BAA to withdraw its objection to the Glasgow Airport Rail Link Bill, currently progressing through the Scottish Parliament.
BAA is a crucial and important partner in the development of the Bill, and this agreement means that the two organisations will move forward together to progress the delivery of the rail link.
Agreement with BAA follows the withdrawal of objections by three other organisations - Pentland Aviation Fuelling Services Ltd, British Transport Police and National Air Traffic Services plc.
On 21 June MSPs voted 110 to 1 in favour of passing the Bill from the Preliminary to the Consideration Stage, where it is considered in detail. An independent assessor, Professor Hugh Begg, has been appointed to examine the detail of the Bill and report back to the GARL Bill Committee.
After considering the assessor's findings, a report will be produced by the Committee. A Final Stage debate is expected to take place towards the end of the year.
End of story.
Mobile Travel Centre's new port of call.
SPT's Mobile Travel Centre has recently extended its range by crossing the Firth of Clyde to visit the Isle of Arran, with the help of business partner Caledonian MacBrayne. The island is set to be added to its summer programme of venues to be visited from now on.
The Mobile Travel Centre - the only one of its kind in Scotland - parked in the Co-op car park, Brodick, where staff spent two busy but rewarding days during the summer, helping a sizeable number of people with travel enquiries.
It promotes the use of public transport by bringing travel information to rural communities and provides people in these areas with details about local bus and ferry services, trains, express and long distance coach services, day tours and short stay breaks.
The Mobile Travel Centre is fully accessible to people with mobility impairment and also for those using wheelchairs. It helps passengers with journey planning as well as providing information on trips around Strathclyde, Scotland, the rest of the UK and even destinations in Europe.
In June, SPT Chair Cllr Alistair Watson, accompanied by Vice Chairs Cllr David McLachlan and Cllr Tom Selfridge, spent a day on the island meeting local Cllr Marjorie Currie and North Ayrshire partnership member Cllr Sam Taylor. The purpose of the visit was to get first hand experience of some of the transport problems faced by islanders.
Cllr Watson said: "Although SPT has worked in partnership with the ferry and train operating companies to ensure timetables deliver joined up journeys and integrated travel, we are not prepared to rest on our laurels. We recognise more work still needs to be done."
"I am grateful to Cllr Currie and Cllr Taylor for their time, and the visit confirmed there is a need to improve passenger facilities on both sides of the ferry operation. We agreed to work in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and Caledonian MacBrayne to initiate a study into the creation of transport interchanges at both Ardrossan and Brodick and I am expecting this work to start in the autumn."
End of story.
Subway: investing in the future
Keeping staff up to date with the latest technology is an essential part of running the Subway.
To do this effectively there was a need for additional training facilities for both the operational and maintenance departments of the Subway.
As a result, SPT has built a new training room for Subway staff, which was officially opened in August by Ron Culley, SPT's Chief Executive. One of the existing suites has also been refurbished giving a total of three training rooms.
SPT Training Officer, Andrew Calder, commented: "With this improvement, we will be able to deliver training for both operational and maintenance staff at the same time. We have built in all the latest technology and are now able to cater for up to 20 in each training room."
SPT is also investing in the Subway rolling stock. A contract worth £1.4 million has been awarded to ALSTOM for the overhaul and refurbishment of eight Subway cars.
This covers the complete overhaul of the trailer cars of the fleet, in line with the vehicles' recommended heavy maintenance requirements, based on length in service and mileage. Redesigned car interiors will enhance passenger comfort; improvements will include new panelling, flooring and seating, and upgraded lighting.
ALSTOM will carry out the work at its Springburn depot in Glasgow, with the first completed car due to be delivered early next year and the last by early to mid 2008.
End of story.
DNA kits for Subway staff.
In an effort to protect Subway staff from a most unacceptable form of assault - being spat on - SPT has issued DNA swab testing kits to the workforce.
These kits will enable staff who have been spat on by a passenger to take samples of the saliva, which will then be passed to Strathclyde Police for analysis.
Fortunately spitting incidents are rare, but if they occur Police now have the opportunity to identify the individual concerned and report them to the Procurator Fiscal.
Ron Hamilton, the Subway's Customer and Commercial Officer said: "Knowing these kits have proved to be a successful deterent for other public transport operators, we decided to do the same as we're keen to reinforce to the minority of passengers, who engage in this type of action, that we will not tolerate such behaviour."
Chief Inspector Alick Irvine, Strathclyde Police Crime Prevention Officer added: "If any member of the Subway staff is subjected to a spitting attack, the DNA packs allow police an additional line of enquiry to track down offenders.
"Spitting is a form of assault and offenders could face prosecution. I hope this will deter anyone from this type of behaviour as there is now much more chance they will get caught."
End of story.
Raising the roof at Partick.
The £12.3 million transformation of Partick station into a state-of-the-art public transport interchange took a giant leap forward recently, as contractors Spencer Ltd began to dismantle the old 1979 station building block by block.
SPT Chair Councillor Alistair Watson, in the company of local Glasgow City Councillor Aileen Colleran and Glasgow Kelvin MSP Pauline McNeill, was on hand to ceremonially remove the first of the old station's concrete roof beams.
He said: "Partick's position as a major hub for passengers using rail, Subway and bus services is set to expand with the exciting regeneration of the Clyde Waterfront underway at Glasgow Harbour.
"It is a critical link in the city's transport infrastructure and when the work is complete next spring, the new interchange will provide pleasant, comfortable surroundings in which people can make easy changes between modes of transport.
"This is a challenging project as we've had to create a building site in a busy urban location and at the same time, continue to operate a station running normal services. I must thank local residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during what has been, at times, noisy and disruptive work on their doorstep and would assure them that we remain committed to keeping the local community fully informed of works that are likely to cause disturbance."
Partick station is set to remain open throughout the construction period with all transport services running to normal timetables, but travellers are warned that the usual routes to and from platforms may change as work progresses.
When complete next spring, the new Partick Interchange will be fitted with state-of-the-art safety, security and passenger information systems. It will have comfortable, spacious waiting areas and offer passengers easy transfers between rail, Subway and bus services.
MSP Pauline McNeill said, "By this time next year Partick will have one of the best transport interchange facilities in the country. I am expecting a real transformation of the travel experience, not just for the hundreds of my own constituents who use Partick regularly, but also for the many others for whom it is a key link in their journey. I know the £6.3 million provided directly by the Scottish Executive was vital and I am delighted that SPT has been able to put together such an ambitious scheme."
Councillor Colleran added, "It's good to see that work on Partick station is progressing well, and to be involved in literally raising the roof is quite special. Along with all the users and neighbours of the station we all look forward to the completion of the station project , and I'd like to recognise the role of SPT in contributing their part to the multi-million pound investment that's going on in the Partick area."
Although there's not much evidence on site of progress on the new ticket office, Interchange can reveal that the lift pit base has been completed and the pre-cast metal stairs have been manufactured off-site. The new ticket office is expected to be open for business some time in November.
End of story.
New town centre bus for Stewarton.
Bus users in Stewarton are among the latest passengers to travel in style after SPT and Stagecoach Western Buses funded the purchase of a state-of-the-art Optare Solo bus to upgrade the town's bus service.
The brand new bus, which is liveried in SPT's familiar carmine and cream colours, is one of the new generation low-floor vehicles, designed with a ramp to allow easy boarding for passengers with wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport member for East Ayrshire, Councillor Eric Ross welcomed the upgraded service saying: "I am delighted to see how well the people of Stewarton have taken to the newly-upgraded service. The new low-floor bus meets all their requirements and the half-hourly service around the town provides easy access to the shops and community services."
Mrs Anne McGraw, from Stewarton and District Community Council said: "We're highly delighted with the new vehicle, which has been long awaited and much needed in Stewarton. We have many people in the town, including those with disabilities, the elderly and parents with buggies, who were missing out on community life as they had no means of transport."
George Connell, Traffic Manager Stagecoach West Scotland added:" We are delighted to work in conjunction with SPT to provide Stewarton residents with a brand new bus."
Sadly, not all communities across west central Scotland are as well-served as the residents of Stewarton. As the front page story of this issue relates, in other areas the quality of bus service provided is variable.
SPT already pays over £4million a year to subsidise socially necessary bus services, but the public purse can no longer afford to bridge the gap every time a bus service is removed. Since January this year, SPT officers have dealt with a staggering 330 variations in service, 91 cancellations and 120 new service registrations.
End of story.
Jean Goldie, 1927-2006.
(written by Alistair Watson.)
"As Chair of SPT I would like to, on behalf of the organisation, pay tribute to one of our most endeared colleagues.
Councillor Jean Goldie, who represented Renfrewshire Council on SPT, was an example of a superb public servant, not only to her constituents but Renfrewshire, in particular. Jean Goldie's approach was always the same, one of advocacy, concensus and mutual respect for her colleagues and political opponents.
However, she was never afraid to speak her mind and offer her opinion on how her consitituents in Renfrewshire could be better served by public transport. Much of the benefits now being realised in Renfrewshire, in particular the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, are entirely down to the representations of Jean Goldie. Renfrewshire politics, is indeed a better place, having been graced by the likes of Jean Goldie and I personally have not only lost a trusted colleague but a dear friend."
End of story.
Organisational changes at SPT.
The review of SPT's senior management structure and appointments to the Executive team is now complete, although at the time of writing not everyone is in post.
So far, two Assistant Chief Executives have taken up their new responsibilities.
John Halliday has assumed accountability for the organisation's Transport Strategy which includes the teams in Transport Planning and Integration, major projects like the Glasgow Airport Rail Link and the Policy Development Unit.
Valerie Davidson heads up the Business Support function, comprising Communications, Finance, Legal, Human Resources and Technology Solutions.
Other appointments have been announced and we look forward to welcoming some new faces to SPT in the near future. Further details and photos are planned for the next issue of Interchange. Watch this space!
Douglas retires.
Colleagues and friends gathered on 31 August to bid farewell to SPT's Operations Director, Douglas Ferguson who decided to retire after some 27 years service.
"I have enjoyed the variety and challenges each new day has brought in my 27 years working in public transport in the west of Scotland. Over the years, it has been my privilege to work with many talented colleagues at SPT and throughout the transport business.
"I have also been fortunate to work with many dedicated politicians committed to delivering better services and am proud to have been associated with what has been achieved in that time.
Looking to the future, Douglas added: "There is still a huge amount of work to do and the formation of the new RTP with changing roles and new responsibilities is a good time to stand aside and let the new team take the agenda forward. I know they will succeed and I wish them well."
Chief Executive Ron Culley added his appreciation of Douglas' contribution saying: "In the short time we have worked together, I have come to regard Douglas as a valued member of my executive team and I am sure his experience will be in demand, should he decide to continue to serve the interests of the transport agenda at a later date."
End of story.
Airdrie to Bathgate rail link
Trains could soon be running between Airdrie and Bathgate for the first time in fifty years. Network Rail has lodged a Bill with the Scottish Parliament to reopen the old line linking North Lanarkshire with West Lothian.
Transport Scotland is providing funding for the £300 million project which includes new stations at Armadale and Caldercruix. Network Rail also wants to upgrade and move the existing stations at Bathgate and Drumgelloch. In addition, Livingstone North, Uphall and Airdrie would be revamped.
If all goes to plan, four extra trains an hour could be travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh by December 2010.
End of story.
Scottish Transport Awards
SPT has been short-listed for two Scottish Transport Awards. Although the standard of the submissions is high, projects like JESS and IBIS convinced the judges to nominate SPT in the Travel Information and the Disabled Access categories. The awards ceremony will take place in Edinburgh this November.
End of story.
New Travel Point for Ayr
SPT has added a third Travel Point to make it easier than ever for Ayrshire residents and visitors to plan journeys by public transport, with a new facility in the VisitScotland tourist office located in the town's busy Sandgate.
The ready availability of public transport information provision is high in Ayrshire as result of SPT's decision to expand its network of travel points in the county.
Two Travel Points opened in April at East Ayrshire Council offices in both Kilmarnock and Cumnock, bringing the total number of SPT Travel Points across west central Scotland to eight.
End of story.
Strathclyde rail patronage reaches all-time high
New figures show that the number of passengers carried on rail services operating within SPT's west central Scotland area, broke the 50 million passenger journey mark for the first time.
The moving annual total of 50.25million rail journeys during the 12-month period ending 24 June 2006 is the highest-ever figure recorded in west central Scotland, and represents an increase of almost 4% on the previous year.
SPT Chair Cllr Alistair Watson said: "These figures are a testament to SPT's success in developing the rail network within the Strathclyde area during the last 30 years. It is now the most extensive commuter rail network in the UK outside London."
End of story.
End of Issue 13.
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email: interchange@spt.co.uk