MacKenzie A (Alan) Elen Steve! TT 28 August 2013 00:19 Bus Bill ‘Smith D (Drew), MSP ‘Subject: Bus Regulation (Scotland) Bill This proposed Bill was passed to our Community Council by Drew Smith MSP. am the Secretary for our Auchenshuggle Community Council which is based in the East End of Glasgow, in the Tolleross/London Road area and am forwarding some comments on behalf of the Community Council. ‘The Community Council most certainly supports the general eim of this Bill, We have recently experienced First Bus attempting to withdraw the No.64 bus service which is the only bus which serves our area of London Road. This service is also vital to Carmyle. Margaret Curran MP and Councillor Frank McAveety conducted a campaign and were successful in saving the service for this year. First Bus stated * that this service was losing money. They changed the route a few years ago and, as the residents on Tollcross Road have 3 buses to take them directly into the city centre, | doubt they will want to take the No.64 'scenic' route. Of the 3 buses going into the city centre, 2 of them take the same route to Buchanan Street Bus Station, perhaps one of these buses could pass the Royal Infirmary which would be of service to this area, There needs to be a pairing of profitable and not so profitable routes to assist in ensuring an adequate service overall. There should be agreement on routes and fares and Community Councils could assist in consultation on preferred routes. Population moves should involve rethinking of some routes, Reregulation should require a specific guarantee of an efficient bus service from the operator if the operator wishes to maintain the route and achieve a good return as well as a reasonable subsidy to cover some routes. The bus company needs to provide clean, modern buses which the public find attractive, comfortable and will use, thus easing congestion on the roads, The Traffic Commissioner should be able to impose a heavy penalty on companies which do not adhere to their agreement with the transport authority, The transport authority should not be expected to assist the bus company in the upgrade of buses; this should be part of their business plan. Suggest there is less of a subsidy for rail travel as a bus is, for the most part, much more accessible to the travelling public and with popular timetabling should become the main mode of transport. Ellen Stewart Secretary