2 days ago
First Bus 'cannot' run services across Renfrew Bridge
First Bus announced that it cannot run buses across the new Renfrew Bridge at present.
The company stated that this is due to the 'unpredictability' of the crossing's closures.
The 184-metre bridge is a twin-leaf design, meaning it opens and closes horizontally to let river traffic pass through.
TheRenfrew Bridge (Image: Colin Mearns)
As such, it can be closed to vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists for up to hours at a time, depending on the level of river traffic.
The bridge is operated by Renfrewshire Council.
A First Bus spokesperson said: 'Unfortunately, as it currently stands, we are not able to operate a bus service across the new Renfrew Bridge.'
It comes after we previously reported that there is a 'lack of public transport' crossing the river in this area.
Councillor Malcolm Mitchell, who represents the Garscadden/Scotstounhill ward, raised the issue in a letter to SPT and First Bus following the loss of the Renfrew to Yoker Ferry.
Councillor Malcolm Mitchell (Image: Archives)
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The vessel stopped sailing on May 31 after a decline in passenger numbers following the opening of the Renfrew Bridge.
Councillor Mitchell highlighted that the ferry had been the only public transport crossing the Clyde in the vicinity of the bridge, and its loss means there is no public transport crossing for a seven-mile stretch between the Clyde Tunnel and the Erskine Bridge.
The Renfrew to Yoker Ferry (Image: Colin Mearns)
He called for SPT to engage with bus operators - such as First Bus - and the local authorities surrounding the bridge to look at whether a viable timetabled bus service could run across it.
If not then exploring the possibility of a shuttle service or the re-routing/expansion of current bus services south of the river to take in the new road network around Meadowside Street/Fishers Road.
However, First Bus has since stated that re-routing/expanding its offering in this area is not possible due to 'strict conditions' on its service delivery and reliability.
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A First Bus spokesperson added: 'We are sad to see the loss of the Renfrew Ferry, a much-loved service for people in the local area.
'The obstacle to us rerouting existing services or adding new services to take advantage of the bridge is the unpredictability of the bridge closures, often for several hours at a time.
'As a bus operator, we need to operate under strict conditions around our service delivery and reliability, which is enforced by the Office of the Traffic Commissioner.
'The unpredictable closures of the new Renfrew Bridge mean running a bus service across the bridge is not currently a viable option.'
The Renfrew Bridge connects Yoker and Clydebank directly to Renfrew.
Its completion marked the end of the £117million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project.
This was led by Renfrewshire Council and funded as part of the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region Deal.
