SPT MUST RESTORE TRUST TO DELIVER SUBWAY

SPT MUST RESTORE TRUST TO DELIVER SUBWAY
QUESTIONS CONTINUE FOR LABOUR OVER SCANDAL HIT BODY
Ahead of a Scottish parliamentary debate today (Thursday) on the future of the Glasgow subway SNP MSP Sandra White said SPT had a lot of trust to win back with the public and politicians if they wanted to be charged with delivering a revival of the Glasgow subway.
Ms White who has consistently called for improvements in Glasgow's inner city transport and for SPT to demonstrate what it actually delivers for Glasgow's travelling public warned the organisation that it must show it was the most efficient means of improving transport in Glasgow and the West of Scotland.
In light of the ongoing revelations and resignations by leading Labour figures and senior officials of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Ms White believes there is an opportunity for reform and improvement of the management of SPT which would see leadership of its board shared with the positions of Chair and Vice Chair held by members of different parties as happens within COSLA that is essential if it wants to restore public trust to deliver new services.
Commenting Ms White said:
“Reviving and improving the subway could bring real benefits to Glasgow and improve inner city transport but for SPT to be trusted to do the job it is time for real openness and accountability at the top of SPT with a chair and vice chairs from different parties and different authorities. That is a system that works in COSLA, and there is no reason why SPT cannot do the same.
“The reports of lavish expenses at SPT for luxury trips and travel at a time when subway services were getting worse has angered people across Glasgow.
“SPT is now being watched closely and as we debate the subway’s future it is essential the body charged with running Glasgow’s transport service is focussed on transport for the public not trips for Labour councillors and officials.
"If SPT are asking for Scotland to support this project then Glasgow and Scotland must see SPT add value not take it away if it is to show it is fit for purpose.
“It is a Labour leadership which has presided over the current mess SPT is in.  It is time for real reform, some democratic cross-party balance and an organisation that can genuinely deliver better transport in Glasgow's city centre."