A CAMPAIGNING councillor is calling for electronic bus timetables to be extended to Johnstone.


The hi-tech displays, which provide live information about which services are due and when, were recently installed at bus stops in Paisley, where they have been a big hit with passengers.


Now it is hoped the technology will also be rolled out to Johnstone town centre.


Councillor Derek Bibby, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, believes Houstoun Square would benefit from the screens as services to Paisley, Glasgow and Largs all leave from there.


He told The Gazette: “They have already introduced these screens in Paisley, so why can’t they do the same in Johnstone?


“The introduction of the timetables in Paisley was a welcome development but I feel they should now be introduced to ensure residents here can enjoy the same benefits.


“I am not asking for them to be installed everywhere, just in that key area of Johnstone.


“There are places smaller than Johnstone that have them installed, so why not there?”


The Labour man continued: “Houstoun Square serves a number of key locations around Renfrewshire and beyond.


“From Kilbarchan to Lochwinnoch, Houston to Kilmacolm and Glasgow to Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital, people rely on the bus, so there is plenty of reason for the timetables.”


A spokesman for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), which is responsible for co-ordinating regional transport, said it is up to Renfrewshire Council to decide whether or not to install the digital timetables in Johnstone.


He added: “We are currently working with Renfrewshire Council to extend the deployment of Real Time Passenger Information displays between Paisley and Renfrew.”

The Gazette:

A new digital display sign in Paisley 

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “We’re working closely with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to introduce Real Time Passenger Information displays in Renfrewshire to improve the experience for customers.


“Using grant funding from SPT, displays have so far been installed in Paisley town centre and on Glasgow Road, with electronic displays set to roll out next on Renfrew Road.


“We’re seeking to access further funding to expand our network of displays onto other main bus routes and Johnstone is an area we would hope to include in future projects if we can.”