Traffic congestion in Glasgow is imposing a substantial financial burden on local bus passengers, costing an estimated £24 million per year and resulting in the loss of 1.2 million hours of passenger time annually.
These findings stem from a new study, “The Price of Bus Delays in Glasgow,” conducted by the University of Glasgow’s Urban Big Data Centre and commissioned by First Bus.
The research identifies that delays across five key corridors are significantly extending peak-time journeys, thereby undermining the reliability of bus services for individuals commuting to work, education, shopping, and healthcare.
Pollokshaws Road has been pinpointed as Glasgow’s most critical congestion hotspot for buses, with an estimated 375,577 passenger hours lost each year, valued at £7.45 million. Other corridors experiencing considerable impacts on bus performance and journey times include Great Western Road, where afternoon services are particularly susceptible to delayed departures, and Maryhill Road, which, alongside Pollokshaws Road, sees peak-period travel times increase by up to 40% compared to uncongested conditions.
Andrew Cullen, Regional Director for First Bus in Scotland, commented on the broader implications of these findings, stating: “This is about more than buses; it’s about Glasgow’s future prosperity. Congestion is quietly costing customers £24m a year and holding back productivity.“
“And this is just people using the bus in selected parts of the city, which shows the overall financial impact will be much higher. Every minute we save for passengers is a minute they can spend working, learning, shopping, or enjoying the city. It can also help to attract more people to think of using the bus.”
The report suggests that proven targeted interventions, such as dedicated bus lanes, bus gates, and traffic signal priority, could deliver significant improvements. An example cited is Aberdeen’s bus network, which has observed punctuality improvements of up to 12% and journey time reductions of 17% since the implementation of bus gates in 2023. The claim is that applying similar time savings in Glasgow could yield an annual benefit of approximately £3 million.
Further supporting these measures, recent polling by the Confederation of Passenger Transport Scotland, the bus industry body, indicated that 58% of the public endorse bus priority measures to alleviate congestion, with support being strongest in urban centres like Glasgow.
Beyond direct passenger frustration, the University of Glasgow research also highlights broader economic and social ripple effects, including elevated operating costs for bus services, a decline in passenger numbers (a 10% increase in bus travel time can reduce demand by 4-6%), and disproportionate impacts on low-income and time-poor residents due to reduced accessibility. Employers also face challenges in attracting and retaining staff when transport reliability is compromised.
Dr Fiona Crawford from the Urban Big Data Centre, University of Glasgow, emphasised the gravity of the situation:
“Our research shows the scale of time lost by bus passengers because of congestion on just five corridors alone is staggering. Losing over 130 years of passenger time is not just inconvenience, it’s a measurable drain on the city. Tackling these delays is not just a transport policy issue, it’s an economic strategy for the city.”
First Bus points to successful collaborative efforts in other UK cities, where partnerships between bus operators, local authorities, and transport organisations have unlocked significant potential. These collaborations, whether voluntary, legally binding, or formal Bus Service Improvement Partnerships, are crucial for establishing priorities and responsibilities to deliver efficient and punctual services.
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Mr Cullen concluded:
“We’ve already seen positive steps from Glasgow City Council, including improved traffic light sequencing. We are now calling on the council, Transport Scotland, and business leaders to go further in our shared vision for a more prosperous Glasgow and build on our partnership working to improve bus journeys across the city. By going together to unlock these routes, we can jointly unlock economic growth, cleaner air, and a more connected city.“
“Carrying thousands of people every day to jobs, schools, healthcare, and leisure, buses are part of the heartbeat of Glasgow. By tackling congestion effectively and collectively, Glasgow can give its people back time, reduce employer costs, and unlock millions in economic gains.”
