Kinning Park’s pensioners are up in arms over their experiences of travelling on Glasgow’s buses.

Passengers have complained that bus drivers are not showing enough consideration for pensioners, with people regularly being thrown around buses by erratic driving, and not being given enough time to get on or off the bus. Elderly passengers, many of whom use their free bus pass to get around, are particularly at risk.

The most vocal critic of the bus services was local resident Mary Sanderson. Mary told the LOCAL NEWS that she felt there was no respect for older people on the buses today and that she thinks something has to be done about it.
Mary (83) said, ‘The buses in the G51 area are a disgrace. They’re not training drivers properly. They never come up to the raised part of the pavement that was specially built for them. I can’t get a seat near the front for the crowds and I often miss my stop. I’ve been left to walk home in the wind and rain for a mile.’

Other seniors in the Mair Street day centre agreed. Florence Templeton told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘I think that it’s disgusting. You get on and they pull away, jerking you all over the place. I lived in London and the drivers there are much better. Drivers here don’t give you enough time to get on or off, and their faces are always so angry. We have to use the bus, but the drivers don’t like pensioners.’ Roberta Rankin added, ‘Sometimes I’m almost flung to the back of the bus and I’m not even given a chance to sit down.’

Mary has also expressed fears that new bus routes created for the Glasgow Arc, or ‘squinty’, bridge, from Govan Road to Finnieston Street, are leaving them stranded. She told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘Nobody told us the route had changed. For the past 20 years all the buses have gone past my kitchen window. I had to walk back from the other side of the bridge the first time the bus took the tokk the new route and I collapsed three times before I got home. I could hardly open my door and when I did I lay in a heap crying. I had a chill for four days and was terrified to go out. There is a lack of information to the public that the routes have changed. The bus service is like a jigsaw puzzle that’s never been put together.’

Govan MSP Gordon Jackson QC told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘A number of constituents have approached me expressing concerns about the standard of care for elderly passengers on local buses and I have been writing to the bus companies.’

A spokesperson for First Bus Glasgow, whose buses serve the Govan Road area, said, ‘It is very disappointing to hear of these concerns, given the training offered throughout our industry. All of our drivers are provided with induction training at the commencement of service and thereafter offered the opportunity to improve their skills through our SVQ and continued professional development programmes, which include customer care training with a particular emphasis on the elderly and disability awareness as part of the curriculum. Services 3 and 55 now go via the Clyde Arc Bridge as a means of reducing travelling time for our passengers and to provide them with a reliable service. Our customers were made aware of this change via our website as well as our October Service Change leaflet that was distributed on buses and via SPT Travel Centres.’

A spokesperson for Arriva buses, who also serve Govan Road, told the LOCAL NEWS that safety is ‘high on their agenda’ and that correct procedure for leaving their buses was provided on posters on buses.

She added that all drivers are entered into the Road Operators Safety Council (ROSCO) awards scheme that rewards their safe driving. Four Arriva drivers were awarded £100 in October for an accident-free month. Arriva confirmed that a new route for the number 24 over the bridge has been created to serve the new media park at Pacific Quay. But a spokesperson said that passengers wishing to travel further along Govan Road could still use their 23, 25, 36, 38 and 39 services. The 24 no longer serves Kingston or Commerce Streets.

Route changes on Arriva buses were advertised on buses and at bus stops one week before they came into effect. Arriva’s spokesperson also emphasised that their drivers take part in a monthly road safety group to work on safety campaigns, and that a part of their quarterly budget is set aside for those campaigns.

Dickson’s of Erskine also serve the Govan Road area. Ian Gray, Transport Manager at Dickson’s, told the LOCAL NEWS that they had made no route changes over the new bridge. Their drivers must have six or fewer penalty points on their driving licences and are given a driving assessment before being taken on by the company.
Mr Gray said, ‘I would categorically deny any accusations of bad driving, we don’t condone erratic driving at all. I would say that we have a good bunch here. There is an inspector on our buses and it’s never been brought to my attention until now.’

Govan Councillor Bailie John Flanagan said , ‘I’m quite keen to see bus services regulated again, so that we can have a proper service both day and night. The private companies that run the buses only report to their shareholders.’