Latest news with #DuncanCameron
Scotsman
24-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Innovative First Bus AI timetables help service reliability hit new heights in Glasgow following £3 million investment in improving services
Glasgow's biggest bus operator sees 13.5% improvement in on-time performance across its network Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A £3 million investment by First Bus in Glasgow has led to a significant 13.5% average increase in on-time performance across its services. The investment was made in bus and driver resource to implement new timetables created by AI-driven software, which works to account for issues on the route, ultimately aiming to increase the reliability of its services and create an improved experience for customers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The introduction of AI-driven software to create more accurate and reliable timetables has been a cornerstone of this improvement, with the new approach accounting for real-life conditions such as road congestion and ongoing roadworks. First Bus Following the introduction of the latest timetabling in June, the operator has achieved a 13.5% improvement this year across over 60 routes in Greater Glasgow and Lanarkshire. Some services have seen notable increases, including the East Kilbride to Clydebank service 6 with 23.1% increase in reliability, service X11 from Buchanan Bus Station with 25.9%, service 4 with 27.5% and service 4a which achieved the most impressive boost of 32.8%. By achieving an increase in reliability of service, First Bus hopes to encourage more people to use the bus and embrace sustainable travel. First Bus as a business is committed to achieving a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035 and wants to offer Glasgow commuters the opportunity to choose a greener way to travel, that will also get them where they need to go on time While the investment has proved to be effective, it underscores a broader issue facing public transport in Glasgow. The £3 million spent to combat congestion is money that could have been used to expand the network, introduce new routes, or reduce fares for customers. This highlights the urgent need for more comprehensive bus priority measures within the city to ensure that resources can be directed towards further enhancing the public transport system rather than merely maintaining it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Duncan Cameron, Managing Director of First Bus Scotland, commented: 'The results speak for themselves. Our buses are now more reliable and timely, providing our customers with a service they can depend on. We're proud to say that these changes mark a significant improvement in our Glasgow services, something we will continue to build on as we look to embrace more modern technology. 'Our aim is always to improve our services and provide the best possible experience for our passengers. It is vital more people start to consider bus as an attractive, sustainable travel option and we hope these results go some way to achieving that. However, the lack of sufficient bus priority measures forces us to allocate significant funds just to maintain reliability amidst increasing congestion. 'With better support from city infrastructure, we could invest more in expanding our network or lowering fares, making bus travel even more accessible and affordable.'
Glasgow Times
23-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
AI-powered timetables improve Glasgow bus services
The group said the investment in new timetables—powered by AI-driven software—has boosted punctuality by 13.5 per cent across more than 60 routes in Greater Glasgow and Lanarkshire. The software creates more accurate and reliable schedules by factoring in real-life conditions such as traffic congestion and roadworks. Read more: Commonwealth Games 2026 mascot Finnie revealed - but people are confused Duncan Cameron, managing director of First Bus Scotland, said: "The results speak for themselves. "Our buses are now more reliable and timely, providing our customers with a service they can depend on. "We're proud to say that these changes mark a significant improvement in our Glasgow services, something we will continue to build on as we look to embrace more modern technology." The company aims to operate a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035 and believes improved reliability will help encourage more people to use the bus. Mr Cameron said: "It is vital more people start to consider bus as an attractive, sustainable travel option and we hope these results go some way to achieving that. "However, the lack of sufficient bus priority measures forces us to allocate significant funds just to maintain reliability amidst increasing congestion. "With better support from city infrastructure, we could invest more in expanding our network or lowering fares, making bus travel even more accessible and affordable." The company believes the £3 million investment highlights a broader challenge—congestion. Without improved bus priority measures, First Bus argues that money is being spent on maintaining reliability rather than growing the network or reducing fares. The most improved routes include the East Kilbride to Clydebank service 6, which saw a 23.1 per cent rise in punctuality. Other notable gains include service X11 from Buchanan Bus Station at 25.9 per cent, service 4 at 27.5 per cent, and service 4a, which saw the highest improvement at 32.8 per cent.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Giant wicker shark to raise conservation awareness
A giant wicker shark has marked the start of a month-long campaign to raise awareness of marine conservation in Devon. The 20ft (6m) handcrafted basking shark, created by Falmouth University lecturer Duncan Cameron, was installed at Royal William Yard, Plymouth, to mark Shark Month. The Shark Trust said it was running a programme of awareness, art and advocacy throughout July to promote the importance of shark conservation. Paul Cox, the charity's chief executive, said this year's campaign would celebrate "the incredible world of sharks". Mr Cox said: "We've created lots of fun and fascinating ways for all the family to engage with the vital issues of conservation whilst diving into and celebrating the incredible world of sharks." The programme includes a 360-degree virtual reality shark experience, wine tastings inspired by Great White habitats, rock pooling adventures and film screenings. The shark was created from salvaged bamboo, willow and pallet wood. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Lewis Pugh tackles waters where Jaws was filmed Basket Shark to raise awareness of sea pollution 'Amazing sight' as basking shark spotted in marina 'Exciting' sighting of basking shark in Cornwall Shark Trust
BBC News
12-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Giant wicker shark in Plymouth to raise conservation awareness
A giant wicker shark has marked the start of a month-long campaign to raise awareness of marine conservation in 20ft (6m) handcrafted basking shark, created by Falmouth University lecturer Duncan Cameron, was installed at Royal William Yard, Plymouth, to mark Shark Shark Trust said it was running a programme of awareness, art and advocacy throughout July to promote the importance of shark Cox, the charity's chief executive, said this year's campaign would celebrate "the incredible world of sharks". Mr Cox said: "We've created lots of fun and fascinating ways for all the family to engage with the vital issues of conservation whilst diving into and celebrating the incredible world of sharks."The programme includes a 360-degree virtual reality shark experience, wine tastings inspired by Great White habitats, rock pooling adventures and film shark was created from salvaged bamboo, willow and pallet wood.
Glasgow Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
First Bus scores big win at Scottish Transport Awards 2025
The achievement, which First Bus were presented with at the Scottish Transport Awards in Glasgow, celebrates the performance of First Bus across Greater Glasgow and Aberdeen over the last year. The award was open to Scottish bus, rail, tram and ferry operators. READ NEXT: Abusive social media posts directed at MSPs tripled in past year (Image: First Bus (Picture credit: Newsquest)) First Bus was recognised for its efforts to improve customer experience, reduce journey times and improve reliability. Its investment in zero-emission buses and infrastructure was also commended as the operator continues its commitment to running a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035 with over 270 zero-emission buses in operation across Greater Glasgow and Aberdeen. The operator also collected a second award on the night for Excellence in Technology and Innovation, receiving recognition for its use of AI-driven timetables to improve reliability for customers on its services across Scotland. First Bus used the new timetables on over 60 services in the last 12 months to improve their performance, which led to several routes experiencing improvements in punctuality by over 30% as a result. READ NEXT: Tesco tease plans to improve popular superstore Duncan Cameron, First Bus Scotland managing director, said: 'I am delighted First Bus has been recognised as Scotland's Public Transport Operator of the Year. 'We have worked extremely hard to make real, tangible changes to the overall customer experience while also doing everything in our power to ensure our services across Greater Glasgow and Aberdeen are more reliable for passengers. 'The award belongs to our thousands of colleagues across the country whose tireless efforts every day ensure we continue to deliver for our customers.'
