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Glasgow City Council have today backed an emergency motion to explore the option of taking the city’s buses into public ownership.

As reported by Glasgow Live, a petition calling for the council to buy First Bus hit more than 3,500 signatures after it was announced that the American transport provider was selling its UK operations.

The emergency motion was brought before the council today, where it was unanimously passed after negotiations between all political groups.

The next stage will be for council officers to begin discussions with First Group, SPT and other national transport providers to explore how a locally owned bus service could be brought to the city.

Campaigners regularly point to Transport for Edinburgh’s Lothian Buses as an example of how locally owned transport can operate in a comprehensive and cost efficient model.

The motion was brought by the Labour Party, whose Glasgow Transport Spokesperson Matt Kerr said: “This is a step-change in public transport planning in Glasgow. I am delighted that we were able to work across party lines to come to an agreement, to make clear that bus provision is just not good enough. Now we have a real opportunity to go further and faster to deliver a transport network suitable for a truly 21st century, European, metropolitan city.

“I’d like to thank campaigners at Get Glasgow Moving and others for pushing on this, and for those across the City Chamber for working so constructively on this issue.”

However, the amended motion does also offer a word of caution, making it clear that this is an early stage in the process.

The motion reads: “Council further notes, however, that making progress on any such discussions would involve sensitive commercial negotiations.

“Council therefore resolves to allow officers the necessary space to continue to explore this matter before reporting back to the Transport Delivery Steering Group, building on successful examples of working groups in recent months at the earliest opportunity to update on negotiations, noting that the democratic approval of Councillors will determine any decision to proceed.”

Speaking to Glasgow Live about the news, Ellie Morrison, the Chair of Get Glasgow Moving, said: “We obviously think our petition has ramped up pressure on the council. We’re really pleased that they’re going to seize this opportunity. Hopefully they can find a way to make this happen and bring the city’s buses back into public ownership.

“One thing we will be pushing is Glasgow City Council working with other local authorities through SPT. This isn’t something they can do on their own and SPT was set up to help integrate travel through the Glasgow work and travel area.

“Hopefully this will give us an opportunity to fill in the gaps in the transport network.”

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction of the City Government for Glasgow City Council, added: “As soon as we were notified several weeks ago of First Group’s intention to sell First Bus, we commenced discussions with relevant stakeholders about what a bid to operate our own bus services could involve.

“Those discussions will continue and expand in the weeks and months ahead to allow us to get a proper handle on First’s plans, the feasibility and affordability of a council-owned bus service and the detail involved in the various options which may emerge. All the while we need to be minded of both the democratic wish of the whole Council Chamber and the commercial sensitivities around any discussions.

“Today the Council put on the record its clear support to continue to explore all avenues and to restate that our city deserves the best possible bus service. We are committed to playing our part in delivering that.”

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