Deliver major improvements in the conditions for public transport users
We want our public transport system to be one of the best in the world.
We need public transport to become more affordable, more widely available, and of high quality everywhere.
Major improvements must be made to the quality and affordability of public transport if Scotland is to catch up with best practice around the world. There has been progress in this area in recent years, and we need to see a continuation of investment in all forms of public transport – buses, trams, trains and ferries.
High quality public transport is necessary if society is to function successfully, and can help ensure key public policy objectives regarding the environment, social inclusion and the economy are met. In particular, policy should aim to ensure that public transport achieves a high modal share of all motorised transport and is comprehensively available, enabling wide accessibility to work, education, health, shopping and leisure facilities. For this to happen we need to see priority given for investment in public transport over less sustainable modes of transport.
There needs to be substantial improvements in the waiting and interchange environment, with better information and ticketing systems. A smart ticketing system should be developed within the area, similar to Transport for London’s Oystercard, that allows commuters to top-up the card at convenient locations and which can be used across all forms of local transport – trams, buses, rail. The use of on-board scanners would speed up boarding times by tenfold or more where large numbers are boarding. Bus operators, for their part, need to ensure high standards, with continuing investment in new cleaner vehicles and good levels of service.