Scotland’s minister for connectivity says the bus and coach sector will play a key role in delivering the first minister’s four priorities for government
Fairlie: ‘The climate emergency is our single greatest challenge’
Buses are a vital tool for achieving the Scottish Government’s priorities, according to the country’s minister for connectivity.
In an article in Scotland’s Buses 2025, which accompanies this edition of Passenger Transport, Jim Fairlie MSP writes: “When we consider the first minister’s four priorities for government – growing the economy, eradicating child poverty, tackling the climate emergency and ensuring high-quality and sustainable public services – we can draw direct lines between all of those objectives and the role that bus and coach can and does play each and every day.
“The climate emergency is our single greatest challenge, and transport remains the largest source of carbon emissions, but as I’ve said before, we’ve got many of the tools we need to address these complex challenges. Whether it’s reducing emissions, tackling transport poverty, easing congestion or improving air quality – bus remains best for our towns and cities.’
Bus remains best for our towns and cities
Later this month, Fairlie will address the CPT Scotland’s annual conference in Edinburgh. In an interview for Scotland’s Buses 2025, Sarah Boyd, chair of CPT Scotland and chief executive of Lothian, makes the case for bus and coach. Asked what she is looking for from the government, she says: “If there was more that could be done, it would be around certainty.”
The industry is seeking clarity on reimbursement rates for concessionary travel schemes. Meanwhile, The Network Service Grant (NSG), which subsidises bus routes, has not changed since 2012.
This article appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.
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