Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 26 June 2025
26 Jun 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Glasgow’s Bus Services
I agree with that. I cannot expand on the point, because I have only four minutes and my time is lapsing, but we have to reach to that point first, and we have to have a will to make that investment before we can get there.
We have to be clear about why—other than the climate issues that Patrick Harvie has raised—we want to franchise buses. Will we serve the areas that have the greatest unmet demand or the lowest car ownership, or areas of low income, deprivation or social needs? We must not pretend, as some people have done in the past, that bus franchising will provide a bus outside everyone’s door that will take them and drop them off wherever they want to go. That is what some people think will happen. We must be strategic, targeted and co-ordinated, but any plans must also be funded, which will take political will. In the chamber this evening, we have the political will, which we have to share across the Parliament.
17:22In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-17910, in the name of Patrick Harvie, on the future of Glasgow’s bus services. The deb...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
It is usual to begin a members’ business debate by thanking those who have chosen to stay late for it, and I have a double reason to thank those who have cho...
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Patrick Harvie for bringing this debate to the chamber. It has proved to be timely for residents in my Rutherglen constituency. At its heart, this de...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The member makes the very important point that there is no way to fully view the coherence of the greater Glasgow bus system, because the information about t...
Clare Haughey
SNP
I will come on to that point later in my speech, but the long and the short of it is yes, I do. Yesterday, I met First Bus to relay my and my constituents’ ...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I start by apologising to Patrick Harvie for not attending the debate in person. I did my very best, but I simply could not make my diary work.
Patrick Harvie
Green
Made a request to intervene.
Graham Simpson
Con
I think that Patrick is trying to intervene. If that is the case, I am happy to allow him to do so.
Patrick Harvie
Green
I am grateful to Graham Simpson. I apologise to him. I was not aware that he was joining us online when I made my comment about parties being represented in ...
Graham Simpson
Con
That is very nice of Patrick to say. He is right. We have worked together on the issue for a long time. There has been cross-party agreement on the subject, ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you, Mr Simpson. 17:05
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I thank my colleague, Patrick Harvie, for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I also thank the Deputy Presiding Officer for agreeing that I may le...
Clare Haughey
SNP
On that very point, the decision is—as the member will have heard in my speech—very much a hot topic. Is she aware of SPT having consulted with South Lanarks...
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
It is my understanding that there is no requirement for SPT to do so, which means that we could be left with a situation in which there is no public accounta...
Patrick Harvie
Green
Will Pam Duncan-Glancy take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back, Ms Duncan-Glancy.
Patrick Harvie
Green
Pam Duncan-Glancy makes an extremely important point. I assume that she would agree that the experience of disabled travellers in Manchester shows that genui...
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
I whole-heartedly agree with that point. From my own experience and that of other disabled people I have spoken to, I know that bus travel in Manchester is f...
Bob Doris
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
I will be happy to take Bob Doris’s intervention if I have time, Presiding Officer.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Bob Doris.
Bob Doris
SNP
I thank you for your indulgence, Presiding Officer. Pam-Duncan Glancy makes a really important point. As a dad who uses bus services, I have often felt tha...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Always speak through the chair.
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
I have been in awkward situations—as I am sure that the member, or anyone who has a wheelchair or a buggy will have been. I find it regrettable that anyone h...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
I thank my colleague Patrick Harvie for securing the debate. For many years, he has been a relentless champion for people in Glasgow, including bus users. It...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Patrick Harvie for bringing this important motion to the chamber. For the substantial Scottish Government investment that we make in Scotland’s bus...
Patrick Harvie
Green
Mr Doris makes some important points. I again make the case that the other changes that we need to make in the transport system for climate purposes, such as...
Bob Doris
SNP
I agree with that. I cannot expand on the point, because I have only four minutes and my time is lapsing, but we have to reach to that point first, and we ha...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I thank my colleague Patrick Harvie for lodging the motion, which I was pleased to sign, for this members’ business debate. I recognise the excellent work th...
The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity (Jim Fairlie)
SNP
How many cars were on the road then, and how many cars are on the road now?