Our new report ‘In Reverse’ published today (Tue 3 September) finds that the Scottish Government has failed to meet 7 out of 10 key commitments made over the past five years to invest in, and prioritise, sustainable transport.
In Reverse reviews whether 10 crucial sustainable transport commitments made in recent years are being met.
We found that only 3 of the 10 commitments are on track, with the remaining 7 showing limited or no progress, or appear to have been abandoned by the Scottish Government.
The report comes ahead of this week’s ‘Programme for Government’ (PfG) announcement.
In light of these findings, we’re calling on the First Minister to comprehensively review the spending commitments of its executive agency Transport Scotland and for the reversal of the bitter cuts to public transport and active travel implemented by his predecessor.
To review the status of each commitment – from active travel investment to traffic reduction – see our Transport Tracker or read the report in full.
6 out of 10 commitments
OFF TRACK
1 out of 10 commitments
SLOW PROGRESS
3 out of 10 commitments
GOOD PROGRESS
The Government’s failure to deliver the pledged funds for walking and bus services are particularly concerning, given the reliance on these modes from those living on low incomes.
Report author Laura Hyde-White, public affairs manager, said:
“The Government pledged to invest in bus priority to combat congestion and improve bus services. Yet less than 6% of its promised £500m investment has been spent in the first three years of the operation of its Bus Partnership Fund.
“Investing in buses – used most by those on low incomes – aligns with the First Minister’s priorities on poverty, economy and climate. But the decisions made by his predecessor have led to drastic cuts in funding for bus improvements, directly undermining these priorities.
“There has also been a grievous failure in active travel investment. While the Government had committed to spending £320m in this year’s budget on the healthiest modes of transport, it appears that only £137m has actually been committed. This means that the Government has failed to meet its own commitment by more than 50%.”
On lack of consistency between priorities and funding, director Colin Howden, adds:
“The First Minister has stated that his government’s priorities are to eradicate child poverty, grow Scotland’s economy, and tackle the climate emergency. But we see little correspondence between these welcome policy priorities and the transport budget’s actual spending.
“Transport Scotland’s budget has increased year-on-year despite the organisation’s comprehensive failure to drive modal shift or cut traffic levels.
“Given the calamitous state of public finances, the First Minister must take a hard look at where funds are actually going — and whether these funds truly benefit the Scottish economy rather than overseas interests.”
Media coverage
Related news, projects & publications
Transport Tracker
We report on the Scottish Government’s progress in meeting its sustainable transport commitments – from decarbonising the railways to investment in walking, wheeling and cycling.
Off Track
31 August 2023
Report which scrutinises the Scottish Government’s performance on its commitments to sustainable transport.
Stuck In Traffic
14 October 2022
Report analysing progress, or lack thereof, on Scottish Government Programme for Government commitments on transport made since the 2019 ‘Climate Emergency’ Programme for Government.
