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Foreword
Bus Park and Ride schemes have successfully been developed in many sites around Scotland and the Scottish Government is very keen for this to continue. They can make a valuable contribution to increasing modal shift and reducing congestion which are key outcomes we can all benefit from.
Park and Ride for Buses: A National Framework offers a positive step which can be taken by Authorities and bus operators working in partnership. It is not suggested that it will address every situation, but the case study elements show how Park and Ride has already proved successful in Scotland. It is therefore part of the "toolkit" of initiatives which can be developed to address improvements in bus services.
The Scottish Government is committed to working with key stakeholders to improve bus services in Scotland. They are a central part of the Government's transport policies. In March 2008, a High Level Forum of key industry representatives from central and local government, bus operators and regulatory bodies, highlighted the importance of pursuing initiatives, such as Park and Ride, on the basis of a partnership approach. This is vital in working for effective bus services and in taking account of the developing roles and responsibilities of local authorities and regional transport partnerships.
Park and Ride therefore fits into the partnership approach, and this guidance will sit alongside the general guidance "Progress Through Partnership" published in September 2008, and will be supplemented by further advice and guidance on other topics during the coming months. We have also seconded a Senior Bus Development Adviser to champion the opportunities for introducing measures and solutions to improve the quality of bus services.
Park and Ride shows what positive partnership working can achieve for both operator and local authority, which will ultimately be of benefit to the passenger. Central to its success will be the commitment of the partners to making real changes to improving conditions for buses in Scotland, and contributing to Authorities' transport and wider policy objectives; and the Government purpose of sustainable economic growth.
We would like to thank all of the Bus Action Plan Steering Group, industry stakeholders, including bus industry representatives, local authorities, RTPs, and ATCO who have helped in producing this guidance.
We trust that key practitioners within local government and the bus industry will find the material helpful
Stewart Stevenson MSP
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change
June 2009
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