Ministers approve £40m for Glasgow Fastlink bus scheme
Scottish ministers have approved £40m towards a new high-frequency bus link along the north and south banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow.
The Clyde Fastlink route will run from Buchanan Street Bus Station to the new Southern General Hospital via Central and Queen Street Stations.
It will travel along the River Clyde, past the SECC, in dedicated lanes which will be mostly segregated from traffic.
Plans also exist to extend the "tram on wheels" project as far as Clydebank.
The Fastlink project is being led by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and Glasgow City Council.
Deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon said it would improve Glasgow's transport infrastructure in time for the 2014 Commonwealth games.
"Fastlink will make a real difference to the quality of public transport links in the area as well as provide real economic development opportunities for the many communities along the route.
"It will also provide much better access to the healthcare services at the new South Glasgow Hospital Campus site, and provide another vital transport option for the Commonwealth Games.
"Having received the final business case from SPT and subject to continued reassurance on SPT's work as it develops during the detailed planning and design of the project, our contribution gives the green light to this important public transport initiative."
SPT's chief executive Gordon Maclennan said he was "delighted with the funding news".
"SPT's enhanced Fastlink business case, which was submitted to the government earlier this year, showed that the improved network would boost the number of people using public transport, cut congestion and improve bus journey times by up to 20%.
"We know we can make a real difference with simple measures, for example dedicated controlled bus corridors which will vastly improve access to the city centre.
"Direct links from Glasgow's existing bus and rail hubs to the new South Glasgow Hospital and the SECC - a key Commonwealth Games site - will make public transport a credible and attractive alternative to the car."