Scotland's first staffed night bus 'hubs' with CCTV launched in Glasgow to boost safe late travel

Scotland's first staffed night bus "hubs" with wardens on duty until 4am at weekends and CCTV are being launched in Glasgow to improve safety and encourage revellers and workers to take the bus home.

Three hubs at busy city centre stops are being established to serve night buses operated by First and McGill’s, with the wardens will be on duty from midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.

The night bus hubs are at three busy city centre stops | Glasgow City Council

The hubs at bus stops on Sauchiehall Street beside The Garage night club, beside the former Watt Brothers department store on Hope Street and at the southern end of Union Street are also aimed at easing the pressure on taxis and private hire vehicles.

They will operate from 12-4am while the ten night bus services run, which will continue to call at their other normal stops.

The hubs have been developed by the City Centre Taskforce, with the city council and Let’s Go Glasgow - the city centre’s Business Improvement District (BID) - funding them.

The boost for night buses comes three years after First planned to axe the services, blaming poor passenger numbers.

But it then relaunched the network with McGill’s after the other operator announced plans for its own night buses.

The over 60s and under 22s travel free on night buses, with a maximum £2 single fare for paying passengers.

Bus Users UK director for Scotland Greig Mackay welcomed the move. He said: “Safe, accessible and dependable public transport should not stop when the sun goes down.

“For too long, getting home late at night has been a source of anxiety, whether you’re a hospitality worker finishing a long shift or someone heading home after an evening with friends.

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“Glasgow’s new Night Bus Hubs are a welcome step towards putting passengers’ needs front and centre.

“Clear signage, CCTV and visible marshals can help people feel more confident about travelling late, making the bus a more reassuring and practical choice for the journey home.”

The night bus hubs will have CCTV and be staffed 12-4am at weekends | Glasgow City Council

City council transport convener Angus Millar said: “Enhancing night-time transport options are an important part of supporting Glasgow’s night-time economy.

“The hubs will help people enjoying a night out or working late to confidently plan their journey and get home more easily.”

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Let’s Go Glasgow BID chief executive Sean Murray said: “A city centre that feels safe, welcoming and vibrant after dark is good for everyone. This is fundamental to a thriving night-time economy.

“For the businesses we represent, making sure people can enjoy Glasgow with confidence, and get home easily at the end of the night, really matters.

“Having visible, welcoming staff on the ground, alongside clear branding, will make the hubs easy to find and simple to use, taking the uncertainty out of the journey home.

First Glasgow commercial manager Ryan Sorley said: “The hubs are a brilliant addition to the city network. Welcoming features and on-street advice will further enhance the experience for customers and make buses the obvious choice for travelling home after a late night in the city.”

Graeme McFarlan, commercial director at McGill’s Group, said: “Clearly signposted stops, with lighting and CCTV coverage, will help passengers feel more confident about using night buses and support the businesses and workers who keep Glasgow’s night-time economy moving.”