Campaign for Better Buses Week of Action

Glasgow deserves an affordable, reliable and connected bus system. That’s why we’re joining the Campaign for Better Buses Week of Action, and we hope you’ll campaign with us!

What’s wrong with Glasgow’s bus system?

• Cuts to services. Over 1,200 bus routes in Scotland were cancelled between 2007 and 2023, as they were deemed not profitable enough – and Glasgow is no exception. With routes continually under threat, communities are being left with fewer options to get around.
• Fare hikes. At £2.65 for a single journey with Glasgow’s main bus operator, a bus ride in Glasgow is £1 more expensive than a comparable journey in London.
• Poor connectivity. Glasgow’s public transport network is owned by a variety of private and public companies, with no single body overseeing the trains, subway and bus. This means separate tickets are needed instead of being able to use one travel card for all. 

Are you ready to do something about it? Let’s take action!

Tweet the Scottish Government

Send a Tweet to the Scottish Government, calling on them provide local authorities with the necessary funding and powers to tackle Glasgow’s bus crisis. 

Example tweet:

Glasgow deserves #BetterBuses and the cleaner air they bring. I’m calling on the Scottish Government to urgently provide the funding and powers for local authorities to transform the bus system, stopping private companies putting profit over people. @scotgov @transcotland @asthmalungscot 

Email your MSP and councillor

Send an email to your MSP and local councillor, highlighting the urgent crisis of Glasgow’s buses and asking for their support.  

You can find your MSP’s contact details at www.theyworkforyou.com/scotland and details of your local councillor at www.gov.uk/find-your-local-councillors.  

Here are some tips on how to structure your email:

• Problem – explain the problem facing Glasgow’s buses. You could talk about the fare hikes, cuts to services, and lack of integration with other forms of public transport.
• Impact – outline the impact that the bus crisis is having locally. This could be a personal story, or information on how people with lung conditions and Glasgow’s poorest communities are unfairly impacted by poor public transport.
• Solution – call on your MSP and councillor to support increased funding for Glasgow’s buses, and an increase to local authority powers to take buses back into public control.  
• Urgency – end your email by emphasising that our buses are in crisis, and local people’s lives are being affected. Action can’t wait.  

Make sure to tell your MSP/councillor that you are expecting a response, and don’t be afraid to chase them if you don’t receive one!

P.S. Email not for you? You can always write to your local politicians too – details of their office address can be found at the links above. 

Get crafty

Have you ever heard of ‘craftivism’? It’s the combination of craft and activism! It’s all about making a statement and campaigning for change through arts and crafts. It’s also a great way to get kids involved in campaigning, too. 

You could:

• Paint or draw a picture that conveys why Glasgow needs better buses
• Make a sign or banner to take along to a local rally or put in your window
• Embroider or stitch a bold campaign message
• Send your local representatives a handmade card

You don’t have to be an artistic genius to take part – some of the best craftivism is simple and powerful. Share your creations with us on Twitter by tagging @asthmalungscot – we’d love to see what you’ve made! 

Sign our petition

Better buses are just one part of making Glasgow’s air cleaner and safer for our communities. Join us in demanding local leaders prioritise tackling toxic air in the city by signing our petition.  

Spread the word

To secure better buses and cleaner air for Glasgow, we’ll need all the help we can get. Tell your local community why you’re campaigning for better buses and share the action toolkit with them to take part.  

But don’t forget that this week of action is a movement happening all over the UK – you can share the campaign website with friends and family living outside of Glasgow to show them what’s going on in their area. 

Let us know how it went!

Share your campaigning with us on social media by tagging @asthmalungscot or drop us an email at campaigns@asthmaandlung.org.uk – we’d be thrilled to hear about what you’ve been up to!  

Thank you for taking action - for a Glasgow with better buses and cleaner air, for all.