Greater Glasgow PTE plans transport policy
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A BLUEPRINT for the future of public transport in the area covered by the Greater Glasgow PTE was laid down in a policy statement issued last week by the PTE and its PTA. It lists the following areas as being suitable for future action or investigation: the overall bus network to see where opportunities lie for rationalization and integration of services between the Scottish Bus Group, independent operators and the PTE; bus fare collection methods to speed the movement of the buses, particularly in city centres; bus priority measures where these can materially assist in more efficient operation; the potential for bus-rail integration; and the possibility of the introduction of dia l-aride or other demandresponsive systems.
These measures together with improvements in the rail network and a major modernisation programme for the underground system will be priorities for the PTE in the future.
On the vexed question of integration with the SBG and independents, the plan merely says that this is a subject "which is being and will continue to be closely examined through dis cussions with the independents and liaison committees which have been established between the PTE and the SBG".
The PTE pledges itself to find a single basis for charging for all services in the area including those of the former municipal undertaking, SBG and BR. The PTA and the PTE consider that provision of a properly co-ordinated fares system can best be achieved "by having the maximum influence on financial matters relating to all forms of public transport — extending to ownership if necessary in the case of bus operation".
On financial affairs the statement reports "strenuous efforts" to persuade central government to alleviate the burden of the £2.3 m deficit inherited by the PTE from the former Glasgow undertaking. The bus network described as the "backbone" of the system — will require high levels of expenditure to meet the needs of this decade and beyond, the statement claims. As a general rule financing of public transport should be by fare payer, rate payer and tax-payer in order to achieve the desired service.