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Bus withdrawal U-turn as "lifeline" Lanarkshire service to continue
@Source: dailyrecord.co.uk
A bus operator has U-turned on plans to withdraw a “lifeline” service between Cambuslang, Rutherglen and Glasgow city centre. First Bus has now announced it will continue to run the number 65 route – after declaring last month that it would cease from next week due to “insufficient passenger demand” – with a halved frequency, now operating one service per hour from July 14. Passengers and politicians have welcomed the news, saying the service is vital for local residents in allowing them to access community services and for school pupils who will need to make use of the service as the previous council-provided transport has now been reduced. First Bus say they have agreed to continue running the new reduced service on the route between Halfway and the city centre “following extensive engagement with the community, local authorities and political representatives to understand their concerns”. Its first 65 services of each day will now leave Rutherglen town hall at 6.42am and Halfway at 7.07am, respectively arriving at Osborne Street in Glasgow at 7.02am and 8.02am and then running hourly rather than the current half-hourly service. The company still say that the route is “no longer sustainable” having analysed passenger numbers over the past year, but say they are investing funds to keep a modified service running “to address local concerns regarding proposed changes, particularly around access to education and employment”. Managing director Duncan Cameron said: “We understand service 65 is a lifeline for many and have worked hard to find a solution that ensures a modified version of the service can continue. We have listened to the concerns raised and have engaged extensively with local stakeholders on the future of service 65 over recent weeks. “While insufficient passenger demand has meant the service is no longer sustainable, our commitment to connectivity for local communities means we will invest to ensure the continued operation of the service.” First add that “the issue of delays and congestion remains one of the biggest challenges to running efficient bus services in Glasgow”, adding: “Slower journeys increase the resource required to operate timetables. If buses were removed from congestion through bus priority measures, this level of investment could be used elsewhere on expanding the network in the city or into better fares.” Mr Cameron said: “We recognise the passion towards the importance of bus travel in the city. We hope this is reflected in discussions and debates in government forums on the need to speed bus journeys up through more effective bus priority.” Writing to politicians, he said the revised hourly service “will better meet the needs of core users, tailored for those commuting to work and school” , saying: “We are confident that the revised timetable meets the needs of the vast majority of passengers. “Congested streets have a detrimental impact on customer satisfaction and punctuality, but also on the costs of running services. Slower journeys increase the number of vehicles and drivers required to meet timetables, while also increasing maintenance and energy costs. “We are working closely with local transport authorities across the UK to deliver improvements for bus passengers. We believe that partnerships provide the best value to users, allowing all partners to invest with confidence and crucially, can provide immediate benefits to customers through improved infrastructure, reduced journey times and expanded services.” Nearly 3000 people signed an online petition set up by Rutherglen MP Michael Shanks, who called reversal of the withdrawal decision “great news” and said he is “delighted that this lifeline bus service will now be retained”. He told Lanarkshire Live: “Thousands of people spoke up against the decision to close the service which would have cut off communities like Halfway and Fernhill with few other options – this shows the power of people organising to fight for change, and I’m grateful to SPT and First for taking the time to meet and listen to the concerns local people have raised.” Mr Shanks thanked local councillors and all those who “haver signed my petition, written to me and First and engaged in meetings with First and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to get to this point”, and added: “I will continue to monitor these changes to make sure the service works for people, but it is good news and a big victory for everyone campaigning against bus cuts in their community.” Constituency counterpart Clare Haughey MSP was similarly “delighted to share the number 65 service has been saved”, adding: “Thank you to all the constituents who have contacted me about this issue over recent weeks.” She had also campaigned on the issue, meeting representatives from First Bus, writing to South Lanarkshire Council highlighting the particular impact on pupils travelling from Halfway to attend Cathkin High in the new term with school transport now being provided only for secondary youngsters living more than three miles from classes. Ms Haughey says the service is “heavily relied upon by many in my Rutherglen constituency” and raised the issue in a public transport debate at Holyrood, which came just ahead of First’s announcement of their continuation of the service. Speaking at Holyrood, she told MSPs: “My office [was] flooded with calls and messages from constituents deeply worried and angry about the proposals. Some described the number 65 as a lifeline that allows them to access vital services, including many disabled or elderly residents. The MSP added: “Constituents do not seem to have a formal role to play in opposing timetable changes or service cuts. I have long supported and called for private bus services in South Lanarkshire to be moved into public ownership to avoid the issues that I have outlined are impacting my community and to allow for joined-up thinking and planning in relation to the network. “Currently, bus services are at risk of being reduced or completely cancelled at relatively short notice, with little or no meaningful consultation. Under franchising, such decisions would fall to a local transport authority which would have a responsibility towards, and would be accountable to, the communities that it serves.” Pam Duncan-Glancy, the Glasgow MSP, noted that “any changes to service provision have a wide-ranging impact” and said of the 65’s passengers: “One resident said that the service means everything to her, because it connects her with life outside. Without it, she would not be able to have the same quality of life”. Central Scotland member Monica Lennon highlighted the previous withdrawal of the X1 service from Hillhouse and Earnock, which was then reinstated earlier this year by new operator JMB following a long-running community campaign, and said: “Preservation [of services] should not be down to luck and hard work on the part of communities.” *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
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