Passed Policies and Progress

Hold a discussion with First and petition to increase the services run on the U1 service, which is the busiest service between the U1 and now cancelled U2. This bus service is heavily relied on by Students who don't drive or can afford a car, more so with Erasmus students who don't drive here (The Student Accommodation is based at the old campus). First Bus cut their U2 bus due to low usage and rescheduled the U1 to every half hour even during peak times due to traffic and road works, students, as a result, are late for classes and tests. In my own experience, I've waited 50 minutes for a bus because of roadworks. Quote from their website. "A slightly revised timetable will be introduced. Buses will operate up to every 12 minutes at peak times and every 20 or 30 minutes off-peak." "Passengers from East Kilbride will still be able to access UWS by catching frequent service 201 to High Blantyre Industrial Estate bus stops where connections can be made with the U1 which operates up to every 12 minutes." There have even been comments to reduce the service if things don't improve.

Driving is expensive, and students rely on it to get to classes and work. Having less cars on the road helps the environment and can potentially reduce accidents. • Students rely on public transport, especially at the new campus as it's harder to get to without a car. They've also suggested students get a U1 to get a 201 to East Kilbride, which due to the reduced services takes even longer and the 30-40 minute walk isn't suitable for students who have difficulty walking long distances. • It could also give First Bus justification to completely cut the U1 and tell people to walk to Burnbank for another service like they did with the U2. • Local businesses in the technology park rely on the service as well as local people, the bus is always busy, even more so now with less buses running. • I don't think that First Bus have given enough time to allow a footfall build since this is a brand new campus and service.

First Bus has had a problem in the past with their Univerity bus services and should address this https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/news-opinion/letter-absolutely-gutted-u1-bus-2126622 Service change - https://www.firstgroup.com/greater-glasgow/news-and-service-updates/planned-changes/service-change-service-u1-u2 Passed March 2019

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