Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) has today approved plans for a public consultation on the draft Strathclyde Regional Transport Strategy, which aims to improve the bus network and includes SPT’s proposals to develop bus franchising.

SPT's Strategy and Programmes Committee was asked to consider the draft Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy (SRBS) which highlights the important role of bus in providing essential transport for communities and an alternative to car use, supporting wider aims for inclusive economic growth, tackling inequalities and reducing carbon emissions. 

This is contrasted with the challenges facing bus – buses are stuck in traffic; bus journeys are slower; less reliable for passengers; costlier to operate; increasing fares; and less convenient services. All of which are leading to fewer people using bus. For too long, bus has been stuck in a ‘cycle of decline.’

Chair of the Strategy and Programmes Committee, Councillor Alan Moir said:

“Bus has huge value for our society, our economy, and our environment but as we all know the bus network could do more and serve more communities. The aim of SPT’s regional bus strategy is to halt further decline and move to a cycle of growth to ensure a bus network that works for everyone. A network that attracts more people to use the bus and ensures access for communities who rely on bus for everyday travel needs.

“The strategy sets out what we need from bus in the future. That is a better co-ordinated and more recognisable network with buses that are more frequent, more reliable, more affordable and easier to use.  We need to do this with the support of all those collectively employed in the bus sector, fully harnessing all our strengths to stablise the market and deliver bus reform.”

The draft strategy describes the bus network that is needed to improve bus for existing passengers, make it more attractive to new users, and ensure bus is providing essential access for everyone who relies on it.  SPT is aiming for a ‘cycle of growth’ with a bus network that delivers:

• Buses where they are needed, when they are needed
• Reliable and quicker bus journeys
• Affordable and attractive fares and ticketing
• Accessible and safer bus journeys
• A trusted and recognisable bus network
• A seamless and integrated bus network
• A more environmentally sustainable, resilient and adaptable bus network fleet.

To deliver the strategy, SPT is proposing to develop bus franchising arrangements for the region.

However, given the complex and lengthy process to develop and implement franchising (compliant with the terms of Transport (Scotland) Act 2019) SPT firmly believes that action is needed between now and implementation franchising. SPT will work directly with partners and within the voluntary partnerships arrangements to drive improvements and investment in bus infrastructure and traffic management whilst the case for franchising is further developed. 

Now that the draft SRBS has been approved by the committee for public consultation, SPT will move to start a public consultation on the document in early March for 12 weeks to give everyone the opportunity to feedback.

The SRBS proposes the development of a bus franchising model for local services across the region, building on and working with the expertise of the bus sector to deliver better bus services for passengers while making bus more accountable to the public and securing commitment to delivering bus priority.

SPT chair Councillor Stephen Dornan added:

“Being able to franchise bus services will also support wider investments in sustainable transport, specifically connecting with the future Clyde Metro which is a once in a lifetime opportunity to better plan and co-ordinate transport. It offers the opportunity to create a fully integrated transport system that works for everyone. Delivering better bus services is the first step on that journey.

“Everything SPT is working to deliver for bus is part of a much bigger opportunity to really make a positive change for people in the west of Scotland. I commend them on the work they have done so far while also meeting the demands and expectations of the travelling public on a day-to-day basis.”

SPT vice-chair Councillor David Wilson said:

“Delivering this strategy successfully requires us to work collaboratively with passengers, partners and the bus industry. We need to continue to build on many good practices in the industry including developments in ticketing technology, progressing bus decarbonisation as well as all the everyday challenges to ensure the bus runs safely and to time for users who rely on it to get around.

“I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and express their views on the future of bus when the consultation launches.”

Once the public consultation is complete, SPT intends to take a final version of the strategy to SPT committee later in 2025.