Glasgow voluntary groups get bus lifeline

A lifeline has been thrown to voluntary groups which feared they would need to fold after funding was withdrawn.

Earlier this year, the Evening Times told how cash-strapped Glasgow social work bosses had withdrawn funding of £500,000 to pay for drivers and escorts for members of 64 organisations.

They decided the money would be better used providing front-line services for some of the most needy in the city. But a number of the groups warned they would have to close if they had to find the cash to get members to the social clubs they attended.

Following lobbying by MPs, MSPs and members of the groups, the council has agreed to provide £300,000 and to work with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to bring costs down.

This will involve some of the groups having to make minor alterations to meeting times while others will have to change the days they meet to fit in with the availability of vehicles.

The agreement safeguards the future of the voluntary groups, which have around 1300 members.

SPT will use a software package to process all the requests for transport, allowing the best use to be made of drivers and vehicles to keep costs down.

The transport is provided by MyBus, which is run by the transport authority and community transport operators who have access to some council-owned vehicles to supplement their own pool of cars and minibuses.

A council spokesman said: “Council officers have been engaged with colleagues from SPT to establish whether a more efficient model for the provision of transport for voluntary groups could be established.

“It was evident savings could be generated by more effective scheduling of journeys.

“SPT has utilised its resources to establish a revised pattern of journeys which would provide some element of cost reduction.”

SPT chairman Jonathan Findlay said: “This solution helps protect services by making them more cost effective. It is a good move and I am delighted we have been able to support the council in this way.”

Matt Kerr, the council’s executive member for social work, added: “I am delighted close partnership working has produced a more cost-effective way to maintain this service in these tough economic times.”