I’m a firm believer that if you’re standing still, then you’re falling behind, which is why I’m passionate about constantly seeking to improve service for customers.

From our investment in cutting-edge AI to improving service punctuality by up to 20%, to multi-million pound investment in zero-emission buses, we’ve shown how important it is to us to always push to support the communities we serve.

I won’t pretend that everything is perfect with bus travel. We know there’s challenges, like route or service changes which can cause headaches for passengers.

While the blame is often laid at the door of operators, there is a multitude of factors behind these issues. Buses aren’t immune to congestion or roadworks and there’s currently a lack of measures to give buses priority on route. We can only operate within the constraints of existing transport infrastructure.

Fixing these issues would unlock a range of improvements. If buses had priority to beat congestion, fewer buses would be needed to service routes, which in turn would enable resource to be placed elsewhere, to grow and improve services. Admittedly, this could lead to further revenue but ultimately to investment in fare reductions and wider services making bus services more attractive for customers.

This is where the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) comes in, one of the options put forward by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) for reform of bus services in the city. We want to give Glasgow the best possible bus service and I firmly believe that the BSIP is the way to do this.

Put simply, the BSIP would help to deliver better bus services through partnerships between bus operators, SPT and local authorities. It would allow for a joined-up approach to bus services and prioritisation of public transport to help Glasgow keep up with modern European cities.

The BSIP and priority measures would deliver improved reliability, new trial routes and increased operating hours, connecting Glasgow and surrounding areas by promoting one bus network. It will also show passengers where connections between bus services, local rail and the Subway are available, creating a smoother public transport experience for all.

We would work with other public transport operators to introduce contactless multi-operator capping and consistent ticketing, making it easier for passengers and ensure they are getting the best value fares when using more than one mode of transport.

With the expected growth in passenger numbers, operator savings would support fleet upgrades, investment and a collective drive towards net zero emissions operations.

We are already seeing the success of BSIPs in Leicester and Hampshire, where changes are leading to improved bus priority measures speeding up journey times and live information screens at stops giving customers up to date information.

While we’re fully on board, crucially, this will only be possible through a partnership approach with the local authority and key stakeholders to ensure investment is made into transport infrastructure across Glasgow. The mood music suggests key stakeholders are in agreement.

We are pushing this hard as I firmly believe it’s the best way forward when it comes to enhancing the bus service for passengers across the city.

Duncan Cameron is Managing Director at First Bus

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