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SNP to cut public transport in Glasgow

Today's draft Budget contains proposals to scrap the Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL), a scheme which Greens supported when MSPs voted for it in 2006. Despite the name, the project would actually have provided substantial improvements in public transport in the West of Scotland, including boosting the connection between Glasgow and Paisley. SNP Ministers instead plan to fund Fastlink, a bus service designed to connect the Southern General Hospital and the Commonwealth Games site.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

"Fastlink is not a substitute for the true public transport improvements that the GARL project would have brought, especially for Paisley residents and others commuting into Glasgow. Add this cut to the continued funding for the M74 extension and this is a bleak day for the future of transport in this city.

"GARL was never the best public transport policy out there. Crossrail has always been our preferred starting point to improve connections in and around Glasgow. Nevertheless, GARL would have brought significant improvements to people's lives in Glasgow, and it would have been decent preparation for a future decision in favour of Crossrail.

"Whatever Ministers say, they have today proposed an overall cut to public transport, a cut being made alongside significant additional money being wasted on road-building schemes. As it stands, this is not a Budget we believe serves Scotland well, and as our discussions with Ministers continue we will be arguing for a better deal for public transport and for Glasgow in particular."

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