AN ALMOST 10,000-signature petition demanding public control of buses was presented to Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) today.

Transport, anti-poverty and climate activists stood with trade unions to support the Better Buses for Strathclyde campaign pressing SPT to use its newly restored powers not only to reregulate services but to run them.

The STUC backed their calls for the regulation of fares, the introduction of franchising and the formation of a publicly owned bus company.

STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: “It’s time to end days when private companies can make millions of pounds in profits while getting away with providing bus services that are too often unaffordable and inadequate, undermining our social and economic prosperity.”

The Poverty Alliance’s Peter Kelly also welcomed the presentation of the petition, saying: “When public transport works well, it allows people to access jobs, training, education, healthcare, childcare, and other public services. It gives people freedom to build a life beyond poverty.”

Looking at the wider benefits in the fight against climate change, Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Imogen Dow said: “Transport is Scotland’s biggest source of climate emissions, so we need cheap, reliable and easy to use public transport that allows people to get around without cars.”

Transport campaigner Ellie Harrison, of Get Glasgow Moving, said: “We want our buses, trains and subway to be run as one system, making them more efficient, cheaper for passengers and much easier for them to get where they need to go.

“Regulating local buses is a vital first step.”

Accepting the petition, SPT vice-chairman Alan Moir told the Morning Star: “We thank Better Buses for Strathclyde for their interest and support of the development of the Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy.

“SPT is looking at all the options for future bus operations in our area, which we all recognise have been in serious decline over a number of years.”