AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services company, is set to create a new vision for Scotland’s biggest and busiest bus station – improving transport links and preparing to better meet the needs of users in the future.
Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow, which is owned and operated by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), handles more than 500,000 bus departures annually and sits within an area of the city centre that is fast evolving.
AtkinsRéalis has been appointed to develop a future-focussed masterplan for the bus station and its wider site, which will drive positive change within the city centre while creating a world-class transport hub by integrating public transport services with active travel and future mass transit.
The global professional services firm will undertake a full evaluation of the site and the potential for development while engaging with SPT, local communities and stakeholders to evaluate the best way forward for the city of Glasgow.
Chris Crombie, technical director for architecture at AtkinsRéalis said: “The Buchanan Bus Station has long been a central transport hub for the city of Glasgow. But it needs to be fit for purpose for the future which requires a new vision for its role both as a bus station to enable transport links, and as a destination in itself.
“The updated Buchanan Bus Station will play an important role in helping SPT to deliver its goals of improving service levels, sustainability, and safety of the transport system.”
The new facility is expected to deliver wider benefits to the city through improved access to services and will consider the necessary infrastructure to support a fleet of electric buses and other vehicles. This will in turn support SPT’s move towards Net Zero while protecting biodiversity and the natural environment – reducing emissions and improving sustainability. The proposed changes will not only improve the station’s facilities but also support the city’s aspirations for economic growth by enhancing the area’s appeal as a thriving place to live and work.
Richard Robinson, SPT’s director of transport operations, said: “Buchanan Bus Station is a key strategic transport hub within the west of Scotland’s transport network, and while aspects of the bus station have been modernised in recent years, principally to improve the passenger experience and safety and efficiency of operations, BBS has remained largely unchanged over the last 45 years.
“The area around the bus station is undergoing change and now is the perfect opportunity for SPT to consider how Buchanan Bus Station fits in with the regeneration of that part of the city. We look forward to working with AtkinsRéalis on the masterplan and changing the bus station so it remains a vital part of a sustainable transport network in our region.”
AtkinsRéalis will deliver the new plan through its Glasgow office and it acts as a further example of the consultant’s approach of working on projects that have a positive impact at a city and regional scale. Other examples include working on Glasgow Queen Street Station for the past four years, as well as Ayr Station with Network Rail.