COUNCILLORS in Inverclyde have backed calls for ‘integrated and democratically accountable’ bus services across Strathclyde.

Elected members have agreed to a motion from Labour councillor Paul Cassidy calling for the authority to write to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and the Scottish Government regarding bus provision across the area.

The motion, which backs the calls of the Better Buses for Strathclyde campaign, also calls on the Scottish Government to support local authorities and transport authorities which are seeking to replace deregulated bus systems with models of regulation or common ownership.

Councillor Cassidy said: “Bus services are an essential public service and I welcome the support of fellow members in recognising this and in calling for radical transformation change to our bus network.

“Our bus market has been failing passengers, the public, and failing to meet its own objectives.

“Only where bus services are run on different principles do we see radical change.

“You just have to look at London where bus regulation is at a high standard, at Lothian Buses in Edinburgh and the recently launched Bee Network in Manchester, pioneered by the Mayor Andy Burnham, to see that regulation and franchising can work well.

“We can and should do things differently, the need for a departure from the current deregulated market is clear.

"It's time for a comprehensive overhaul of the dysfunctional bus market, shifting our focus from profit to passengers.”

The Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy and Delivery Plan: Case for Change report, which was presented to SPT’s board in September, found that bus use in Strathclyde is in 'sustained, long-term decline’.

It highlighted that bus patronage, the size of bus networks, service frequency and network coverage are failing.

The report also found that bus fares are rising at a higher rate than inflation.

Councillor Martin McCluskey, who seconded the motion, said: “Bus transport is the most popular form of transport across Scotland, but right now it's not properly meeting the needs of passengers.

"What we want is a fully integrated transport system which serves people across the country, and not a patchwork service.

“I, like many of my colleagues across the council, receive enquiries from people whenever changes are made to local bus services.

"But we have no power over the bus services that are crucial for people's lives and the health of our local economy.

“We need change and we need support from the Scottish Government to make that change.”