Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) was formed by bringing together Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority and Executive and the WESTRANS voluntary partnership. SPT covers East Dunbartonshire, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and the Helensburgh and Lomond area of Argyll and Bute.
The new SPT was established by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 which created Scotland's seven Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs). SPT retains many of the transport powers and functions which were previously exercised by Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority/Executive.
SPT's role now involves planning and delivering transport for all modes of transport across the region, in conjunction with its member councils and industry partners. SPT is at the centre of the region's transport planning; analysing all travel needs and developing the transport system for now and the future.
A key activity for SPT is operating the Subway in Glasgow. First opened in 1896, it provides a fast and reliable way of getting around central Glasgow, carrying over 14 million passengers a year.
SPT also run the Renfrew-Yoker ferry and provide a subsidy to the Gourock-Kilcreggan-Helensburgh ferry. More than 230,000 passengers a year use the ferry services.
In addition, SPT has a major role to play in developing strategic rail projects, such as Crossrail and Partick station redevelopment. They also play a key role in improving services and facilities.
In respect of buses, local services in areas not served by the commercial bus market are subsidised by SPT. These subsidised services aim to ensure that the most remote village or isolated housing estate has access to public transport. SPT also provide services such as Dial-a-Bus which enable people with mobility problems to get to where they want to go.
SPT operate and manage Buchanan, Hamilton and East Kilbride bus stations which handle about 16m passengers a year. On behalf of councils, SPT also maintain more than 1,700 bus shelters and about 10,000 bus stops in which they have invested over £3.7m in installing new stops and information display cases.
SPT Bus Wardens work with local authorities to ensure that bus operators comply with regulations and, through their bus improvement plan, SPT are working to maintain and, where necessary, improve standards.
Working with 11 local education authorities, SPT also organise the 'biggest school run in Scotland'. Every day, they carry about 46,000 pupils, using public transport services, plus contract buses, cars and taxis.
Information and ticketing is another major work area for SPT. Their network of Travel Centres and Travel Points deal with more than 1.7m enquiries each year. Additionally the Mobile Travel Centre provides a unique service to rural areas.
SPT provide a range of integrated travel tickets giving discounted fares on buses, trains, ferries and the Subway. SPT also work with other organisations to provide concessionary travel to those who are eligible, both inside and outside the SPT area.
Updated May 2009.
