Bus Regulation Bill Gets Support from Campaigner and Politicians.
Mark Griffin MSP and Gregg McClymont MP have joined with Andrew Stephen of the Cumbernauld Commuters Association to back a bill on bus regulation in the Scottish Parliament lodged by Iain Gray MSP.
This comes as proposed cuts to services in Kilsyth are set to leave commuters to Bishopbriggs, Stobhill and Springburn with just an hourly service and local concerns that FirstBus have plans to remove X3 and X5 services from Cumbernauld in January.
Iain Gray’s bill would give local authorities the power to create a better system of bus service provision rather than bus companies operating the most profitable routes.
In order to win contracts on the more lucrative routes, bus companies would have to commit to providing lifeline, community services.
Mark Griffin MSP said:
“I think this piece of legislation could make a massive difference to commuters in areas that are overlooked by bus companies. It’s simply not acceptable that large bus companies can operate the most profitable routes while ignoring the lifeline services our communities rely on.
“It is time to end the public transport postcode lottery. I fully support my colleague Iain Gray’s Bus Regulation Bill and would urge other MSPs and commuters to do the same.”
Gregg McClymont MP:
"De-regulation of buses services is not working for the people of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.
“For too long bus companies have been able to operate the most profitable routes and cancel the services people rely on to get to work, go to medical appointments or just do their weekly shopping. I hope the Scottish Government will support this bill which will improve local services.”
The bill has also had the backing of the Cumbernauld Commuters' Association.
Andrew Stephen, who has long campaigned for tighter regulation to ensure the needs of passengers are put first, said:
“This Bus Regulation Bill is long overdue.”
“Large national companies choose bus routes which are 'money-spinners', often forcing long-standing, locally loyal service providers off the road. This often leaves the public bereft of the essential services upon which they rely.”
“This is particularly relevant as we have already seen cuts to services to Monklands hospital, and it is suspected that FirstBus intends to withdraw its X3 and X5 services in the Cumbernauld area.
“We trust that all MSPs will support this piece of legislation.”
A link to the proposed bill can be found here:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/62835.aspx
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