FLEET NEWS SCOTLAND
SCOTTISH COLUMN
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) local service contract renewals in July will result in some changes, including two operators entering the local service market for the first time.
Tenders were invited for the renewal of 36 local service contracts due to expire in mid-July, but SPT’s operations committee was invited on 29 January to award only 15 at this stage with a total contract value of £4,215,960. This would result in an annual saving of £1,566 to the subsidised bus budget when compared to the current annual contract value.
While this initial set of contracts due for renewal represented a slight reduction in costs compared with the current position, the prices submitted for the remaining contracts were considered excessive. Those contracts not recommended are to be re-tendered in an effort to achieve a more satisfactory outcome. Within the 15 contracts recommended, there are a few notable changes. McColl’s, Dumbarton will take over provision of evening services 89/90 (Glasgow Inner Circle, currently operated by First Glasgow) and allday service 141 (Partick bus station-Gartnavel Hospital, current contractor McGill’s). An SPT bus will be used on service 141, as at present.
