r/Glasgow Tools

Title
Author	eenbiertje
Comment	Hey. This question comes up on this sub ever now and then. It's not a lack of funding, it's a matter of law. Put simply, this is a consequence of the 1980s Transport Acts brought in by the Thatcher government. Prior to this, it was normal for cities in the UK (as in the rest of Europe) to have municipal transport companies. These acts broke these city-wide organisations up. The most important single act is arguably the 1985 Transport Act, which effectively banned city ran/owned bus networks. Everything was privatised, with cities no longer having the authority to step in. London got an exemption. This enabled the Greater London Authority to set up TfL in the early 90s. Pretty much no other city in the UK has anything comparable to this (although it is routine on the continent). At this point, we do thankfully now have the power to repeal these laws in Scotland. Transportation powers have also been devolved to areas of England such as Manchester, which is now taking steps to overturn these acts and has plans to introduce a proper Oyster-style system across its transport network. Thing is though, we need the Scottish Govt to actually table new laws, which supersede and nullify the 1980s Westminster laws before Glasgow can do anything. The Scottish Govt has been dragging its feet on a Transport Bill for years, and tbh, the one it finally proposed a year ago (still to be debated in Parliament, nevermind enacted) is mince. It barely scratches the surface of the problems, only allowing for cities to dish out franchises to bus companies at their leisure (it says nothing about giving cities the powers to set up their own bus/transport companies a la TfL). The thing most people don't seem aware of, is that until the Scottish Govt brings in the much needed law changes, GCC, SPT, or whoever are pretty much powerless to make the sweeping changes we need. They can make some cosmetic changes here and there, such as having a soft 'opt in' system for private bus/train companies to offer shared fares. But they cannot compel companies to do things that are necessary, or force an integrated system. TL;DR Scottish Government needs to repeal UK Law set up in the 80s that prohibits things like TfL in areas outside London.
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/bqvwzl/wouldnt_it_be_great_if_the_subway_and_bus_system/eo9y5hr/
Created	Tue 21st May 2019 2:43am
Status	()

Hey. This question comes up on this sub ever now and then.

It's not a lack of funding, it's a matter of law.

Put simply, this is a consequence of the 1980s Transport Acts brought in by the Thatcher government. Prior to this, it was normal for cities in the UK (as in the rest of Europe) to have municipal transport companies. These acts broke these city-wide organisations up. The most important single act is arguably the 1985 Transport Act, which effectively banned city ran/owned bus networks. Everything was privatised, with cities no longer having the authority to step in.

London got an exemption. This enabled the Greater London Authority to set up TfL in the early 90s. Pretty much no other city in the UK has anything comparable to this (although it is routine on the continent).

At this point, we do thankfully now have the power to repeal these laws in Scotland. Transportation powers have also been devolved to areas of England such as Manchester, which is now taking steps to overturn these acts and has plans to introduce a proper Oyster-style system across its transport network.

Thing is though, we need the Scottish Govt to actually table new laws, which supersede and nullify the 1980s Westminster laws before Glasgow can do anything. The Scottish Govt has been dragging its feet on a Transport Bill for years, and tbh, the one it finally proposed a year ago (still to be debated in Parliament, nevermind enacted) is mince. It barely scratches the surface of the problems, only allowing for cities to dish out franchises to bus companies at their leisure (it says nothing about giving cities the powers to set up their own bus/transport companies a la TfL).

The thing most people don't seem aware of, is that until the Scottish Govt brings in the much needed law changes, GCC, SPT, or whoever are pretty much powerless to make the sweeping changes we need. They can make some cosmetic changes here and there, such as having a soft 'opt in' system for private bus/train companies to offer shared fares. But they cannot compel companies to do things that are necessary, or force an integrated system.

TL;DR

Scottish Government needs to repeal UK Law set up in the 80s that prohibits things like TfL in areas outside London.