Will buses return under public control in Glasgow?

Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) will make a decision on if they will use new powers to regulate buses across the region.

We previously reported how The Better Buses for Strathclyde campaign recently handed a 10,000 strong petition to the board demanding public ownership.

Now they will rally outside of SPT offices in the city at 9am on Friday, March 15 to find out if their requests have been met.

The Better Buses for Strathclyde campaign will meet outside SPT offices (Image: Colin Mearns)

Franchising would give SPT the power to regulate bus fares, routes, ticketing arrangements, and bus branding.

Protesters claim it is a vital first step to creating affordable, accessible and sustainable bus services which connect seamlessly with trains and the subway.

Last week, Wales became the latest area of the UK to announce plans to regulate their entire bus network.

London’s buses have always been regulated, and in September last year Manchester became the first UK city-region to re-regulate its buses since 1986, creating its new Bee Network integrated public transport system.

In October last year Liverpool announced it would follow.

Campaigners are very hopeful that West Yorkshire will announce support for franchising this week, with South Yorkshire also set to follow.

Campaigners will protest for better services (Image: Colin Mearns)

Campaigners also want SPT to move towards setting up a new publicly-owned bus company for the region, saying that it has the potential to save millions of pounds a year that could be invested in better services.

Ellie Harrison, chair of Get Glasgow Moving, said: “Last week Transport for Wales announced their plans to roll-out bus franchising across the whole nation from 2026.

“This Thursday, Tracy Brabin - the Mayor of West Yorkshire - is expected to announce her decision to take their buses back under public control, following a sustained grassroots campaign.

“Last week the Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard said an independent audit had looked at different options for their region’s bus network and had recommended franchising. He said he hoped they could begin the roll-out by the end of this year.

“Councillors and members of the SPT board simply can’t allow Strathclyde to be left behind. They have the power to bring our buses back under public control, so that together we can start creating the world-class, joined-up public transport that people here want and deserve.”

Better Buses for Strathclyde is supported by the Scottish TUC, Friends of the Earth Scotland, Get Glasgow Moving, Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, APRS, We Own It, Glasgow City Parents Group, Parents for Future Scotland, Scottish Pensioners Forum, Glasgow Eco Trust, The Poverty Alliance, and many more.

Peter Kelly, director of The Poverty Alliance, said: "Our members tell us about the difficulties and hardship caused by the present bus system. They tell us that buses are too expensive, not joined-up, and often don’t run at times or to places that people need.

"We hope SPT board members share our vision for a public transport works system that gives people freedom to access jobs, training, education, healthcare, childcare, and other vital public services. It would be unjust if people here were being denied that freedom, when other regions of the UK are pushing ahead."