Dame Jackie Baillie waiting at a bus stop on Dumbarton Quay.
By Lucy Ashton
Transport chiefs have moved into first gear by taking the first step with plans which could revolutionise bus services in the West Dunbartonshire area.
The wheels started turning when board members backed regulator the SPT’s move to explore bus franchising options at a meeting in Glasgow.
The move would signal a return to transport authority oversight of bus networks, which has been welcomed by Dumbarton constituency MSP Jackie Baillie, pictured left.
Bus services are considered a “lifeline” for residents in the former Strathclyde region, including Dumbarton, the Vale and Helensburgh, with around 70 per cent of all public transport journeys undertaken by bus.
However, concerns remain over “the efficiency, performance, affordability and overall sustainability of the bus network in Strathclyde”, according to SPT’s report.
Use of services has slumped since Covid and has failed to return fully to pre-pandemic levels, which is surprising since it can cost as much as £7 each way for the taxi fare from the housing schemes to the shops in central Dumbarton and Alexandria.
The Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy (SRBS) is aimed at addressing these issues and delivering a clear strategy for services. Work on the project has been ongoing since 2022.
But five options have now been identified by the regulator to stabilise the future of services, including ‘Business as Usual’, voluntary partnerships; bus service improvement partnerships; local service franchising and municipal bus companies.
The options were measured against criteria such as level of service, affordability, public acceptance, risk and uncertainty.
However, the board backed recommendations to explore local service franchising, which is expected to deliver “the most beneficial effects for the delivery of enhanced service provision, more affordable fares and quality.”
Under bus franchising, the deregulated bus market is suspended and bus operators are only able to provide services under contract to the local transport authority.
It means all revenue and expenditure on the bus network is channelled through the transport authority, which can then control outcomes.
The move comes with a price, however, with estimates suggesting an indicative £45 to £85 million will be required in additional annual subsidy to deliver the regional franchise.
Papers prepared for the SPT board meeting, conclude: “Notwithstanding this, franchising does provide the greatest opportunity to deliver the objectives of the RTS and would closely align with initiatives of significant national significance, such as the Clyde Metro project.”
It means that targeted affordable fares or enhanced levels of services can be delivered by the regional authority.
The project would also take between five and seven years to get up and running and cost around £15 million to see it through to fruition.
A return to a full municipal bus company model, where public services compete on the road with private operators, was ruled out even though it could “drive up standards or fill gaps in provision by accepting lower profits” than the private sector.
It was concluded that such a move present “significant risks” to public authorities with “no certainty of success”.
Dame Jackie, who is also also Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader, said: “I fully support the news that SPT will explore options for bus franchising, including the prospect of local bus services being brought back under public control.
“Areas such as Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven and Helensburgh often suffer from the desire of private transport operators to satisfy shareholders and put profit before public need. Many are crying out for improved and more reliable services.
“Scottish Labour has long campaigned for local bus services to be brought back into the public domain and I am delighted that SPT are paving the way.”
Top picture: An old Central SMT bus in Dumbarton High Street en route to Edward Street in Clydebank.