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SPT Launches Bus Wardens Scheme.

The Launch of SPT's Bus Wardens Scheme: SPT Chair Councillor Alistair Watson, Traffic Commissioner for Scotland Joan Aitken and Renfrewshire Councillor Marie McGurk, with the bus inspectors at work in the background.

©SPT: Photograph by Peter Devlin.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has launched its Bus Wardens Scheme to raise bus standards in Paisley.

During the pilot scheme, SPT's six service compliance inspectors will work on behalf of Renfrewshire Council and the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, to make sure that bus companies comply with bus industry regulations. The bus wardens will target "cowboy bus operators" in a bid to improve the standard of bus provision in Paisley town centre.

Chair of SPT, Councillor Alistair Watson said: "We just want to make sure bus operators are doing what they've agreed to do. The bus wardens will ensure operators run the services they have registered with the Traffic Commissioner and to the standard required.

"Those who are adhering to the rules have absolutely nothing to worry about. It's the rogue operators who are infringing conditions who will have to raise their game or pay the price."

Among the areas where action can be taken to enforce compliance are:

Operators publishing a timetable;
- Operators running to timetable;
- Operators giving clear information of bus destinations and ownership of buses;
-Operators having fleet colours, recognisable buses and uniformed staff;

The bus wardens have the power to insist that drivers switch off engines if the bus is caught in stationary traffic for more than 2 minutes. Buses will no longer be allowed to park up in the town with their engines running and the SPT inspectors are empowered to move buses on from bus stops as soon as passengers have boarded.

If irregularities are detected, findings will be reported to the Traffic Commissioner who has powers to fine operators for non compliance and ultimately to withdraw licences.

The Traffic Commissioner of Scotland, Joan Aitken, said: "These additional monitors in Strathclyde will help raise standards. I commend SPT for putting this investment into working towards greater standards for the travelling public."

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convenor of Renfrewshire Council's Environment and Infrastructure Board added: "Bus services have to improve if we're going to encourage people to leave their cars at home and use public transport. Too often passengers are faced with constantly changing timetables and buses that just don�t turn up when they should.

"The travelling public deserve a better service and these new wardens are here to make sure they get it."

SPT's Director of Bus Operations Eric Stewart said: "There is a clear public perception that quality must improve and, while the majority of private operators attempt to provide a good level of service, standards across the Strathclyde area are not consistent. What we are trying to do here is make sure that passengers will be guaranteed first-class service no matter which bus operator they use."

Posted: 16 November 2007

Scottish Region News.

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