Glasgow’s main public bus service is supplied by First Bus, Glasgow.

Taking into consideration that the service is supplied by one relatively small sector of what is an enormous conglomerate, then things aren’t too awful.

What IS awful is a recent decision to replace all the existing network of bus shelters.

It's true, - the existing shelters are an eyesore,
with graffiti and litter being the order of the day.

There is however, a service which does an admirable job cleaning away the litter and jetting off the graffiti and, until the change of design,
they appeared to be managing the work quite well.

Now,
- new shelters are being erected everywhere you look, -

whether or not the ones they are replacing are too far gone.


The old shelters were of a rigid construction
with four plastic sides
which kept most of the elements
but still allowed for fast access
for when things got frantic,
such as during the rush hour etc.

OK, so they let in the spray from under the edges,
when lorries and busses drove through
the smallest of puddles
and
they let in the wind anytime it blew
through Glasgow’s grid-iron of streets.
(which is quite often)

oh, and
they were a bit too convenient
for late night revellers
who couldn’t find a loo.

Yes, they had their faults.

But a least they served a purpose,
which is more than can be said
about the new breed of shelter!

The new cantilever design has three sides,
open to all the ellements,
providing absolutely
NO SHELTER!

the most useful of these glass 'walls'
serves as a billboard advertising H&M and the like.

(the advertisements went in before the shelters were half finished, Ah, so that’s their priorities)

( Glaswegians will HAVE to find a new wo
rd for them as 'shelter' they do not! )

THe 'walls' of the new shelter ?-(
end about six inches
higher up than the old ones -

yes, you’ve guessed it -
NOW - even a bike can make a REAL splash now!

As for the use of GLASS, well I ask you

Is there anywhere in the UK
where glass is not an automatic 'target'
for the ‘brain-dead’ of the local community?

All things considered these new shelters
are a total waste of money.

The planners could have at least consulted the users
before designing and errecting the 'shelters',

or would that be asking too much?
GG