Communities in Glasgow could be left without vital bus services after route cancellations were announced.
Four Citybus routes operating in Glasgow are set to be chopped this July, with the intimation included in the latest notices from the Scottish Transport Commissioner.
The number 49 bus between Silverburn and Shawlands is set to be cut in the move, as well as the 153 service between the shopping centre and Glasgow city centre.
The 124 between Cardonald and Govan and ‘Bishopbriggs circular’ route, number 142, also face the chop.
Campaigners and politicians have hit out at the move, saying services like these are “vital” to local areas.
Get Glasgow Moving campaigner Ellie Harrison said: “It sounds like an absolute disaster to have them wiped out overnight.
“What we are pushing for is that SPT properly utilises all the powers from the forthcoming Transport Bill to regulate properly meaning providers can’t drop routes at the drop of a hat.
“All cancellations are a total disaster for the people who rely on these services and we hope this makes evident that this system is fundamentally broken.”
The changes could prove problematic for those travelling short distances around the city, including those in Cardonald using housing services and the local Jobcentre in Govan.
Cardonald councillor Alex Wilson said this would have an “immediate impact” on his constituents and called on another provider to take over the route.
The Evening Times understands the services will now be put out to tender by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). However, if there are no parties interested, the buses may not run.
An SPT spokesperson said: “These subsidised services are the subject of a tendering exercise and the results will be reported to the Operations Committee in due course.”
Glasgow Citybus did not comment on the issue.
I note that the ever public transport friendly Evening Times had to re-post the article to include the fact the services are already provided by SPT, not that they amended the entire article to reflect the reality of the situation though.think this was mentioned earlier in passing, but now it looks to be true, Citybus handing back all SPT services https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news...es-in-glasgow-set-to-be-cancelled-by-citybus/
I assume like many minor, subsidised routes these are used mostly by OAP’s?The spt service 124/49/153 are now staying with Glasgow citybus
Cancellation: Service 15, Milngavie - City Centre
We have taken the difficult decision to withdraw our service 15 Milngavie – City Centre route.
The last day of operation will be Saturday 29 June 2019.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of customer demand this route is unable to cover its operating costs nor meet the demand to invest in new vehicles to comply with the Glasgow Low Emission Zone.
Whilst we appreciate some customers will be disappointed by this decision, we would ask them to recognise we cannot allocate resources to service so poorly used.
We hope the below Q&A sheet answers any queries you may have about this difficult decision:
Cancellation: Service 15, Milngavie - City Centre
https://westcoastmotors.co.uk/updates/
https://westcoastmotors.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/GCB-S15-Q-A-web.pdf
I've always thought that they look well loaded as well. To contrast, I can't recall the last time I saw (or used) a 17 with anything more than half a dozen people between Maryhill Tesco and Central Station.Every time I've seen a 15 they've always been reasonably well loaded.
Consultation currently underway on a possible diversion of the X95 into Gorebridge:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/X95Gorebridge
Can't think why...!
Update - the proposals have met with a resounding "no" from the regular passengers, so the X95 will continue to bypass Gorebridge.
Is the service between Berwick upon tweed and Edinburgh a supported service or is a commercial service I can’t remember the number it uses
As far as I am aware the 253 is commercial
Some photos appeared on Flickr of Borders Buses Enviro 400 MMCs being converted to half open top and painted red, nothing mentioned on the photo what operation this is for but still under WCM ownership. my bets on Glasgow for the LEZ but I could be wrong.
West Coast Motors YN66BBZ
West Coast Motors YN66BBX
Thanks I see the tour buses every weekday when I'm in town for work and they are well used even in the bad weather, so nice to see some new additions.It was confirmed quite a while back they will be for Glasgow CitySightseeing, photos I've seen of one of them fully branded up confirms this.
Thanks I see the tour buses every weekday when I'm in town for work and they are well used even in the bad weather, so nice to see some new additions.
I'd assume so euro 4 stickers on them, probably not cost effective to upgrade for the LEZ.i suspect they're to replace the old OmniDekka's.
The e400mmc are now out on the citysightseeing service
Thought that borders would want to keep a new decker like that
SERVICE 15 MILNGAVIE TO/FROM CITY CENTRE – IT’S BACK!
We are pleased to announce service 15 will be reinstated from Monday 12 August 2019.
The timetable will remain hourly, with the new bus timing taking into consideration on-going congestion issues on the line of route. Timetables will be available on bus and online shortly.
Whilst this is great news for both our customers and Glasgow Citybus team, we must stress increased bus usage of the service is required to ensure the route is successful.
The Milngavie to Anniesland section of the route is operated as part of two-year tender awarded to Glasgow Citybus by SPT.
In addition to this we are reinstating the commercial element of the route between Anniesland and the City Centre, with some commercial journeys between Milngavie and Anniesland also included.
We hope you support your local bus service and choose to travel on service 15. For more information, please read our Service 15 Q&A.https://westcoastmotors.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/PDF-GCB-S15-customer-QA-FINAL-Aug-2019.pdf