Greater Glasgow

Councillor Welcomes Bus Service Revisions

2009 has got off to a great start for residents in the Drygate area of Glasgow thanks to the introduction of a new bus link by the city's biggest bus operator, First in Glasgow.

The new link has been established thanks to revisions to the route of First's service 39, which now serves High Street and Drygate, and has been warmly welcomed by a local councillor as a positive response to meeting the needs of elderly residents.

Bailie Gordon Matheson, one of the elected members for the Anderston/City ward, had approached First in conjunction with the local tenants and residents' association, to discuss opportunities to improve bus links in the area.

The bus company responded by revising the route of service 39 to achieve just that, much to the delight of Bailie Matheson, and the local residents.

The revised service provides a new bus connection from Drygate to the city centre, creating easy access to shopping and leisure opportunities and making it easier than ever for local residents to get around by bus.

Bailie Matheson said: "This new bus service is a great start to 2009 for my constituents, especially those who live in Drygate and High Street. I am delighted that First in Glasgow has responded so positively to the representations made by me and the local residents' association. Bus services are vital, not least for elderly Glaswegians, and I know that this revised route will be well used."

Alex Shearer, First's Executive Director, said: "The changes we have made to service 39 are a prime example of how we work with local communities to deliver the bus services they require and I hope this new link will prove popular with the residents of Drygate.

"There are ample opportunities for local communities and politicians to tell us how we can do the same in their local areas as part of the public consultation on our Route Development Plan for 2009.

"The Route Development Plan (RDP) is your chance to help us shape our service network in Greater Glasgow and the surrounding area by submitting your comments, ideas and suggestions. Our aim is to get people out of their cars and on to public transport and we believe our RDP consultation exercise provides us with a great opportunity to better understand and positively respond to the changing needs of our customers."

To put forward your ideas, comments and suggestions for the RDP 2009, email Glasgow.RDP@firstgroup.com; write to Mr Chris Carberry, RDP, First, 197 Victoria Road, Glasgow, G42 7AD; or submit online.