Glasgow bus operators join forces to promote growth
Leading bus operators from across the Glasgow city region have joined forces to create Glas-Go, a new bus alliance which says it aims to improve sustainable travel in and out of the city whilst increasing bus patronage by 25 per cent over the next five years.
As part of The Glas-Go Bus Alliance, a manifesto has been created with a multi-operator vision and a commitment to delivering and investing in sustainable, reliable and customer focused bus travel.
Bus operators involved include Stagecoach, First Bus, JMB Travel, McGill’s, Whitelaws and West Coast Motors, operators of Glasgow Citybus and Glasgow City Sightseeing. All city region bus operators will shortly be invited.
In its five year plan the bus operators vow to continue to invest in greener and cleaner vehicles and improve service connections, including seamless travel with other modes of transport.
The forthcoming launch of free bus travel in Scotland for young people is expected to be a major driving force in encouraging more bus travel amongst younger people.
To deliver in areas outside the bus operators’ control, including congestion, road infrastructure, bus priority measures and on street travel information, the alliance aims to work in partnership with the region’s local authorities and SPT through the Glasgow Bus Partnership Steering Group.
The Glas-Go Bus Alliance is chaired by Fiona Doherty, managing director, Stagecoach West Scotland, with Andrew Jarvis, managing director, First Glasgow, as vice chair.
Fiona Doherty says: “We look forward to working with all of the key stakeholders in the city region as we move to work together to make bus services better for our customers.
“No one organisation has all the solutions, so if buses are truly to be successful and provide what customers need, then they need greater support from stakeholders, particularly with critical matters such as tackling congestion which undermines the delivery of reliable services, results in inefficient running and adds to the cost of travel.
“Buses only contribute 4 per cent of all transport related emissions, which means buses are great enablers for green and active travel as well as playing a huge role in the economic and environmental wellbeing of the city region, both of which, will be critical as we continue our recovery out of the global pandemic. If the city is to deliver its green ambitions, we all have to challenge our travel patterns and having a bus network that everyone wants to use is our ambition.”