Glasgow council officials to explore funding options for free electric shuttle bus service

Funding opportunities for a free electric shuttle bus service in Glasgow are being explored by council officials, according to a report being presented at committee this week.

As part of the City Centre Transport Plan, Glasgow City Council has commissioned a study to investigate how a free electric city centre bus service could operate, which would cost between £764,000 and £1.5m per annum.

With funding yet to be secured, six options have been assessed that would connect various parts of the city centre and make them more accessible.

Option one would connect the Royal Infirmary and transport hubs, while option two would see the shuttle run between the Royal, transport hubs and Buchanan Wharf while also serving Strathclyde University, Buchanan Bus Station, and Central and Queen Street railway stations.

Option three is similar to options one and two and would provide a link between the Royal, various transport hubs and the Merchant City, and offer a better connection between retail areas of the city centre.

Option four would see the shuttle operate between the transport hubs, shopping areas and the International Financial Services District and would serve Buchanan Bus Station, Strathclyde University, Queen Street and Central stations and the Argyle Street and Sauchiehall Street shopping areas.

Option five is similar to option four, but instead would link up with Merchant City rather than the financial district.

The final option would provide a connection between the Royal Infirmary, transport hubs and the Scottish Events Campus (SEC), serving Strathclyde University, Queen Street Station, Buchanan Bus Station, Central Station and the SEC.

An update will be presented to members of the operations and scrutiny committee later this week.