Stobhill service is launched      05/03/08

Stobhill Hospital staff, patients and visitors in North Glasgow are being given the chance to get on board with a new bus service.

First in Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are celebrating the new direct 29 service to the hospital.  The bus, which will join the number 3 in serving the hospital, travels from High Possil via Shillay Street, Colston Road and Balgrayhill Road to the hospital every 30 minutes from Monday to Saturday.

An additional extended evening journey will also operate to correspond with hospital visiting times.  First’s executive director, Alex Shearer, said: “We have been working closely with NHSGGC with a view to implementing services which will have the most benefit to those travelling to Stobhill Hospital.  Service 29 will be introduced in addition to the existing Service 3 as a direct link to the hospital with discussions continuing to introduce further services in the future.”

Head of Community Engagment for NHSGGC, Niall McGrogran, said: “We welcome First Bus’ plans to improve routes to Stobhill Hospital.  The board are also investing in the infrastructure to accommodate improved bus access.  We will also be widely publicising the routes by distributing posters and leaflets throughout the hospital.”

However, Springburn MSP Paul Martin has questioned whether the service will be supported long-term.  He said: “I will be seeking assurances from the health board that the service will continue.  It may be that it is not commercially viable for First Glasgow to continue running the service and if this is the case I want to see the health board subsidising it.”