Transform Scotland has today sent a parliamentary briefing to all Members of the Scottish Parliament ahead of this afternoon’s debate, ‘The Future of Public Transport – The Fair Fares Review‘.
The debate comes in light of the Government’s recently published ‘Fair Fares Review‘ which highlights the challenges facing public transport in Scotland, and presents options on the available actions to reform the public transport network.
In our briefing paper we welcome:
- The Scottish Government’s acknowledgement in the Fair Fares Review that action needs to be taken to address the cost of motoring relative to the price of public transport.
- The Government’s commitment to a trial of flat fare ticketing.
However, we note that:
- It is deeply disappointing that after 2.5 years the Review has been unable to set out detailed plans – instead delaying action to the traffic reduction plan, which is itself badly overdue, and a new ‘Future of Public Transport’ review.
- Given the damage to public transport patronage suffered during the pandemic, continued prevarication is reckless for the future prospects for Scottish public transport.
In light of constrained public finances, we also highlight two sources for financing fairer public transport initiatives:
- Diversion of funds from road-building projects to investment to sustainable transport
- Implementation of road user charging and workplace parking levies at a local level
Director Colin Howden said of the Fair Fares Review:
“It’s disappointing that the Review doesn’t set out how this will be tackled, instead kicking the can down the road to the traffic reduction plan, which is itself badly overdue.
“It’s imperative that new measures such as road pricing or parking levies be implemented, and the funds raised to be ring-fenced for funding improvements and subsidies for local public transport services.”
