The Glasgow Bus Alliance – a partnership of the leading bus operators serving Glasgow – has launched a major independent travel survey to hear the views of the people of Greater Glasgow on the future of bus in their City. Whether it is feedback on bus services, safety of travel, infrastructure, timetables or technology, the survey encourages all views.
Bus operators, including First Bus, Stagecoach, West Coast Motors and McGill’s, would like feedback and views from people of all ages who either use the bus or those who don’t currently use the bus, to help shape the future of bus for the Greater Glasgow area. Created independently by the researchers at the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism at Glasgow Caledonian University, the survey is available here.
The Alliance says it has a strong vision to deliver a bus service that has seamless connections for everyone travelling across the City; where journeys are eased from congestion; with timetable information that is easily accessible and accurate. In 2023, the Alliance launched the digital version of the Glasgow Tripper ticket on their own apps to make access even better for bus users. Tripper is one ticket offering unlimited travel with access to hundreds of routes in and around Glasgow – removing the need to purchase multiple bus tickets from different operators. Tripper can be used on McGill’s, First, Stagecoach West Scotland, Whitelaws and West Coast Motor buses.
Fiona Doherty, Chair of Glasgow Bus Alliance and Managing Director of Stagecoach West Scotland, said: “The partners of the Glasgow Bus Alliance are all investing in the bus network and as a group we have outlined where we want bus to go but we want to hear from the people of Greater Glasgow, whether they use the bus or not. All bus operators want an excellent decarbonised bus network that delivers a simple to use, fast, smart, integrated bus network which encourages more people to use the bus within and from the City of Glasgow. We look forward to hearing your views.”
Cllr Angus Millar, Glasgow City Council Convener for Transport and Climate, said: “As well as helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, using the bus is an integral part of day-to-day life for many people across the city, providing a vital link to leisure, employment and educational opportunities.
“By striving to create the conditions that encourage people onto buses such as faster, seamless and better-connected journeys, we can make switching away from using the car an increasingly attractive option for everyday journeys.”
Alex Hornby, Managing Director of McGill’s, said: “This customer-led approach typifies the vision we – as the Glasgow Bus Alliance – are leading in our city. Much progress has been made by McGill’s and our fellow operators in launching transparent, multi-operator ticketing products alongside huge investment in decarbonisation and zero emission electric fleets. We now use this momentum to drive us forward and inform us of our next priorities so we can enable a shift from car to bus and ensure that we are a mode of choice. It’s important that this is done in an independent fashion, in this case with our thanks to colleagues at Glasgow Caledonian University, and that our plans are informed and led by the people who matter the most – the travelling public and the people of Glasgow.”
Researchers from The Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism at Glasgow Caledonian University have produced the survey with partners 56 Degree Insight. Chris Greenwood, Senior Researcher at the Moffat Centre, said: “We have no doubt the survey will contribute greatly to the Glasgow Bus Alliance’s vision for their future services. We would encourage all residents, visitors and workers within the region to participate in this survey and contribute to our understanding of the economic, social and sustainable effects the region’s bus services.”
(Picture – Glasgow First Bus)
