(S3O-9000) Bus Services

3. Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to protect bus services across Scotland. (S3O-9000)

The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change (Stewart Stevenson):

The Scottish Government remains committed to promoting the use of bus services in Scotland. We are taking forward a number of initiatives with local government partners and bus operators to maintain and improve bus services. Those include statutory quality partnerships, punctuality improvement partnerships and the appointment of a senior bus development adviser.

Hugh Henry: Notwithstanding the minister's reply, there are still concerns in many parts of Scotland about the quality, consistency and reliability of bus services. Many of my constituents who live in Paisley, Johnstone and Elderslie depend on regular, affordable bus services. I am aware from local operators of challenges in preserving current service levels. Will the minister guarantee to my constituents that he will take steps to ensure that services are protected, without excessive fare increases?

Stewart Stevenson: I guarantee that I will work with the local authorities and with Strathclyde partnership for transport, which is responsible for bus services in the member's constituency. I note with great interest and substantial enthusiasm the plans by Glasgow City Council to introduce a statutory quality bus partnership. That is one of the ways in which councils are increasingly engaging with bus companies to address the concerns that the member has expressed.

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): Many bus services ought to begin and end at a bus station. As the minister is aware, buses on services between Edinburgh and the Borders have been excluded from Edinburgh bus station, apparently due to continuing tram-work disruptions. Travellers and staff are consigned to Waterloo Place, without any facilities, often after long journeys and in very inclement weather, which at least raises questions of health and safety. Is there a role for the minister in remedying that situation, perhaps through new regulations?

Stewart Stevenson: I agree that bus stations, which provide a range of facilities, form an important part of the bus infrastructure. I understand that the companies that provide many of the services that are currently not going to Edinburgh's bus station made their own elective choice to terminate at locations such as Waterloo Place while there is disruption from the tram works. I hope that bus companies will review the needs of passengers and ensure that services stop in appropriate places. I continue to engage with local government, which exercises responsibilities for buses, in that regard as in others.