Glasgow’s aging bus station to become world-class transport hub

AtkinsRéalis has been appointed to develop a future-focussed masterplan for Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station and its wider site, which will drive regeneration and development within the city centre while creating a “world-class” transport hub by integrating public transport services with active travel and future mass transit.

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 a fast evolving area of the city centre.

AtkinsRéalis 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 it 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.“