Local Government and Planning Minister, Derek Mackay, got on board with local bus operator First Scotland East in Falkirk yesterday (24 April) morning to promote the launch of a national campaign which encourages people to use the bus more often.
Led by sustainable transport group Greener Journeys, “Catch the Bus Week” is an annual UK wide campaign designed to encourage more trips by bus and coach and fewer car journeys. The initiative runs from April 28 to May 4.
Derek Mackay was joined by representatives from bus operator, First Scotland East, Falkirk Business Improvement District (BID) and Scotland’s Towns Partnership in Falkirk’s town centre.
Local Government and Planning Minister Derek Mackay said: “Good bus services help tackle congestion in town centres and make it easier and economical for people to get to work or the shops.
“I want our town centres to be vibrant, attractive and safe places for everyone to use. I am aware there is a great deal of work already underway in Falkirk. We will continue to break down any barriers to making all Scottish towns as accessible as possible.
“Successful bus services need effective partnership, between operators, local authorities and others. That’s why Transport Minister Keith Brown launched the Bus Investment Fund last year to support partnership working and improve bus services across Scotland. I very much hope that some of the applications in the next round will have a town centre focus.
“More generally, times remain challenging for retailers. Our town centre action plan includes a range of measures designed to support town centre businesses and recognises the need to ensure town centres diversify their offer and respond to local demand.
“We also support the Business Improvement District (BID) initiative in towns like Falkirk, which encourages the private and public sectors to work together, invest in improvements to the local business environment, while contributing to the wider regeneration of the local community.”
First Scotland East’s John Gorman added: “Across the UK more than 1.4billion trips are made to the shops using the bus per year – it is estimated that bus users’ retail spend per year is around £21 billion*. Bus services across the UK, and especially here in Falkirk, are absolutely critical to the local economy.
“At First Scotland East, we realise how important our services are to local communities and local businesses. We believe our buses are part of the solution to the Falkirk’s congestion issues. We are working hard to improve our services and will unveil a number of positive and exciting initiatives and investments in the coming weeks aimed at encouraging more people on to our buses.”
Alastair Mitchell, Manager of Falkirk Delivers said: “Good access and egress to our town centres is vitally important to their wellbeing, and according to our own research over the years, a huge percentage of town centre users already utilise the excellent bus service to and from Falkirk. Falkirk Delivers fully supports ‘Catch the Bus Week’.”
Matt Ronan, Board Director at Scotland's Towns Partnership, said: “We need to secure the future of Scotland's towns which are a key element of the economic and social fabric of Scotland. As Scotland's key body for supporting and promoting Scotland's towns, STP is delighted to partner First Bus and Greener Journeys in this important campaign; encouraging people to take more journeys by bus and making the most of the wide range of community activities, services and shops that towns offer.”
During Catch the Bus Week Greener Journeys and many UK Bus operators will promote the benefits of bus travel including: convenience; reliability; value for money; and the environmental benefits. The week long campaign will also focus on the importance of bus services to local economies. For more information visit www.catchthebusweek.co.uk