Major overhaul plan for ‘failing bus market’ Franchising network being considered
Buses in Renfrewshire look set to come under public control as Strathclyde Partnership for Transport signals a move to franchising the network.
The transport authority for Greater Glasgow has set out a proposed vision for the bus network, with ambitions for medium and long-term improvements to what it describes as a “failing bus market”.
The proposals - to be considered by the SPT Partnership board tomorrow - include working with bus operators and local authorities to secure investment and improvements in the medium term while progressing plans for a sustainable bus franchise model for the years ahead.
The franchise approach would see SPT or an identified body set bus routes, fares and frequencies, with performance targets and customer feedback used to inform what operators are paid to run services.It would seek to cover the Strathclyde region - which includes Renfrewshire and 11 other councils - and has a population of 2.2 million.
In an operational note shared with the Express, Valerie Davidson, chief executive of SPT, said: “Our bus network is critical to the working of our economy and sustaining the social fabric of our region.
“However, we have continued to hear from the public, council partners and wider stakeholders that the current bus network is simply not working, with fewer and less frequent services, rising fares, and buses either not turning up or running late.
“There are many reasons for this but no strategic control is contributing.
“We believe franchising provides the most certainty in the long-term to delivering a better bus network that works for everyone.”
In the interim SPT hopes to tackle problems with the bus network via a Bus Service Improvement Partnership, with defined commitments from partners to provide better service levels, fares and quality.
This would, it argues, help arrest the current decline in the market, ensure passenger needs are better met, and provide a stronger basis for franchising to be delivered in the longer term.
The news has been welcomed by Neil Bibby MSP who has, together with Labour councillors, campaigned for buses to come back under public control for years.
He said: “This is the strongest and most significant signal we have had yet that our local bus market will be changed for the better.
“The status quo is not an option and reform is long overdue. Passengers in Renfrewshire have put up with a broken bus system for far too long and the drastic service cuts we have seen locally over the last year have made the case for franchising unanswerable.
“I welcome this important development and although it will take time to progress, if approved, it will be a major step in the right direction.It will give hard-pressed commuters light at the end of the tunnel. Labour councillors and I have been campaigning on this issue alongside community groups, businesses and passengers young and old – we have been clear we need local buses under local control and we will continue to put the public at the heart of our public transport system.”