<\/p>\n
Valerie Davidson: not an easy decision (pic: SPT)<\/p>\n
Valerie Davidson, chief executive of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, is leaving the post after five years in the job.<\/p>\n
Ms Davidson told a meeting of the partnership committee that \u201cafter much deliberation\u201d she intends to retire on 31 August.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has not been an easy decision but I will have completed 39 years public service on that date, and I will have been SPT\u2019s chief executive for five years by that time,\u201d she said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe it is the right time now to go and give someone else the opportunity to lead the organisation. <\/p>\n
\u201cSPT is in a very good place currently with clear plans to move forward and lead the development of a major transport network for the city and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cThe organisation is ready to make a significant contribution as the new Parliament gears up following May\u2019s election. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile I will still be fully engaged with all things SPT until the end of August, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone \u2013 a wide and varied cast \u2013 who have supported me over these many years.\u201d<\/p>\n
The SPT is responsible for running the\u00a0Glasgow\u00a0Subway and bus stations, bus stops and some subsidised bus services across the old Strathclyde region. It also oversees investment in public transport.<\/p>\n
It reports to the SNP\u2019s national agency, Transport Scotland, and is funded by 12 councils \u2013 Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Argyll and Bute, North, South and East Ayrshire, North and South Lanarkshire and West and East Dunbartonshire.<\/p>\n
Last year it was drawn into a dispute with one of Scotland\u2019s biggest private bus companies \u2013 McGill\u2019s \u2013 which insisted SPT\u2019s plans for franchises were \u201can outdated, expensive and unnecessary experiment\u201d.<\/p>\n
McGill\u2019s opposed SPT\u2019s franchising plan<\/p>\n
SPT said franchising, which has been in place in London for many years and was introduced in Manchester, would deliver better services for communities.<\/p>\n
McGill\u2019s co-owner Sandy Easdale also asked why SPT was sitting on reserves of\u00a0nearly \u00a3160 million\u00a0in taxpayers\u2019 cash while the councils that fund it were being forced to cut jobs and services and hike taxes.<\/p>\n
The SPT responded by saying funds were put aside in order to fund the ongoing public transport investment programme, including the Subway Modernisation programme and other initiatives, including its work on bus reform.<\/p>\n
\u201cSPT\u2019s revenue annual funding and annual capital grant are insufficient to cover these costs,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
Commenting on Ms Davidson\u2019s decision to retire, SPT chair and councillor Stephen Dornan said: \u201cOn behalf of the SPT Partnership and all of SPT, I would like thank Valerie for her many years of service to the organisation and to the wider transport network. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe had dedicated herself to public service and has always tried to consider passengers first and foremost when making decisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe will be a loss to the organisation, but we now look forward to the future with many projects already in development and planning. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe role of SPT chief executive will be hugely important as we develop plans for bus reform and work with partners on the Case for Investment for Clyde Metro.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t #SPT #chief #executive #Davidson #announces #exit #Daily #Business<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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