SPT News
Funding for a number of bus services serving local communities is announced by SPT.
Bus links receive SPT support
June 29, 2009 NewsMuch-needed bus services linking Luss, Helensburgh, Balmaha, Alexandria and Old Bonhill will continue for the next three years with a new timetable to improve service reliability.
SPT's Operations Committee approved funding of £622,128 to continue bus services 305, 306 and 309 until 14 July, 2012.
SPT subsidises dozens of local bus services which are deemed to be socially necessary, but not viewed as commercially viable by private bus operators.
SPT Chair, Councillor Alastair Watson, said: "The 305 Alexandria to Luss and 306 Alexandria to Helensburgh will run to new timetables.
"These will give a near hourly timetable Monday to Saturday and will take in the Vale of Leven Hospital plus a limited evening service.
"The 309 will operate a regular daily timetable between Alexandria and Balmaha. Most journeys run to Old Bonhill and there will be a limited evening service."
With limited funds and greater pressure than ever before to provide best value for the public purse, this is the second time these contracts have been out to tender.
In December 2008, the tendering exercise resulted in quotes ranging from £831,000 to £877,000.
These prices were deemed excessive in comparison with the previous contract costs of £519,000. For this reason, temporary contracts were arranged to allow SPT time to test the market further.
Councillor Watson said: "We simply can't afford to subsidise all the routes that private operators choose not to serve.
"By working closely with bus operators and our local authority partners, we've come up with a new timetable that provides a reliable bus service with an important link to the local hospital."
Services 305, 306 and 309 Luss/Helensburgh/Balmaha - Alexandria and Old Bonhill/Alexandria - Balmaha form one contract.
The contract is to be awarded to Loch Lomond Bus Services Ltd at a packaged cost of £622,128 from 19 July, 2009 until 14 July, 2012.
