Electric vaccine shuttle service in Glasgow

Vulnerable people across Glasgow have been offered free environmentally friendly electric transport to their essential COVID-19 vaccination appointments, thanks to

Two new electric buses funded by SP Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund are taking vulnerable people across Glasgow to their COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

The two electric buses had been provided for use on the Riverside 100 bus route, which is popular with visitors to the city’s Riverside transport museum. However, with that service suspended during the current lockdown restrictions and the museum’s temporary closure, the council is instead utilising the all-electric vehicles to help vulnerable people attend critical COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

The Green Economy Fund also directly funded Community Transport Glasgow’s five 100% electric minibuses and two fully electric people carriers, which have also been re-deployed alongside the council’s buses to assist the city’s elderly and vulnerable attending their vaccination appointments.

Nearly 50% of Glasgow residents do not have access to a private vehicle and to support the city’s vaccine rollout, those in need can call the Traveline Scotland number where they will be redirected to Glasgow City Council and Community Transport Glasgow for anyone unable to access public transport.

Elderly and vulnerable people who have received confirmation of their vaccine appointment have the option to call the Traveline Scotland number (0141 465 1878) detailed in their NHS letter and arrange for a vehicle to collect them, take them to their appointment and drop them home again afterwards.
 
Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Glasgow City Council, said: “We’re committed to helping the NHS roll-out Glasgow’s vaccine programme in a safe and efficient way. While the Riverside 100 route is not in service due to lockdown restrictions, the buses that provide the service are not sitting idle. We have re-deployed them along with other electric transport solutions to help the most vulnerable in our community.  The backing of SP Energy Networks has helped to ensure the Riverside 100 buses are part of the effort to decarbonise the city’s transport system as well as supporting Glasgow’s recovery from the covid pandemic.”