Council transport is welcome proposal

Dear Editor, I write regarding the Advertiser article, “Council looks at transport project” [April 18].

An adequate service has been long overdue, particuarly when the people of Coatbridge have had to accept the status quo of services not fit for purpose.

I use public transport on a regular basis; operators do not adhere to their timetables or buses are withdrawn.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) introduced fast-track bus stances on South Circular Road in 2017 to cut down traffic congestion; this only added to problems when buses constantly run their engines (waiting to change drivers or running early).

The fumes are inhaled by members of the public; in bigger towns such as Glasgow this results in a fine. Our town centre is busy with commuters, including people with prams and young children, being exposed to toxic fumes.

It has gone unchecked for some time – if we had electric buses, this would cut down on emissions, vital for public health. North Lanarkshire has a high rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and cutting down a percentage of this would help.

Another area which needs to be improved is the fare structure – costs have risen in line with inflation but the services provided are inadequate.

In my area, two vital bus routes were withdrawn in January; we have a lack of services for rural communities and no evening services (we have a hospital and no vital transport links).

When there is population growth, the need for public transport has to improve because there is demand for services, particularly when the aging population rely on public transport on giving up driving due to health reason. The council didn’t mention a timescale for the project’s implementation.

The people of North Lanarkshire have had to endure appalling bus services in the last two years. Inadequate services would hopefully be a thing of the past, and if this service is allocated funding it would be welcomed by local people. Sandra H Brown, Old Monkland