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5. CONCLUSION
5.1 This guidance was prepared to assist local authorities, regional transport partnerships and bus operators in the development of improved bus services, networks and infrastructure for the benefit of the travelling public in Scotland, to encourage increasing numbers of drivers to leave their cars at home, to relieve congestion and help combat climate change, and to improve accessibility and contribute to social inclusion.
5.2 An underlying theme running through the guidance is the need for and benefits of partnership working between public transport authorities and bus operators. This is a fundamental requirement for success as neither local authorities, regional transport partnerships nor bus operators can achieve comprehensive success working in isolation from each other.
5.3 The partnership theme was powerfully endorsed at the Progress Through Partnership high level forum chaired by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change in March 2008. The forum also noted how those bus improvement measures could and should be positioned within the individual Single Outcome Agreements between the Scottish Government and each transport authority. The bibliography to this guidance provides information on how to access the forum papers and report.
5.4 The Minister recognised that change would not happen overnight but also that momentum needs to be developed and maintained. Therefore, he undertook to issue this and other guidance in the coming months. He also made a commitment to continue to work with stakeholders in advancing the agenda for change and to follow closely the progress being made around the country. To this end, the Minister aimed to reconvene the forum around Spring 2009.
5.5. The guidance we aim to issue in the coming months is in the process of development and will address quality partnership and punctuality improvement themes and the schemes which support them. If followed, this guidance will enable our key stakeholders to make significant advances towards the modal shift everyone wants to see.
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