Hospital bus routes put to the test

SPT has kept its promise to introduce a southside bus service to the new South Glasgow University Hospitals — but some in East Renfrewshire say more needs to be done.

As reported in The Extra, Newton Mearns North councillor Charlie Gilbert approached the transport authority amid concerns for those travelling to the superhospital by public transport. He was told that a gap from the Battlefield/Shawlands corridor had been identified, and that SPT hoped to have a new service in place by May.

The 34A running through Castlemilk, Battlefield, Shawlands and Cardonald to the hospital was launched, encouraging the southside to connect without travelling to the city centre.

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But the Scottish Greens East Renfrewshire branch maintains that “the impact on people travelling has largely been ignored”.

The group has planned an action for July 11. Co-convener Ciaran Roarty told The Extra: “We hope to collate data through a day of travel — recording times, costs of tickets, the number of tickets required and waits between services.”

An SPT spokeswoman repsonded: “NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has overall responsibility for transport links, and SPT has been assisting by encouraging commerical operators to service the new hospital.

“With only limited funding available, NHS GGC could not provide a direct bus service from every area, and it will be necessary for some passengers to change buses.

Travellers from East Ren can connect with First Glasgow services 34A and 90 at Battlefield and Shawlands direct to the hospital.”

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