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Transport has a big impact on us all. It is important for our economy, for our communities and for every individual.

Our challenge is to transform Scotland's transport, making it more reliable, accessible and customer-friendly. We must deliver the high-quality services that passengers and businesses are increasingly expecting.

We are investing more than ever in major projects - new rail lines, tram lines, airport links and road improvements. Our biggest commitment is to public transport. In 1998-99 less than a quarter - just 23% - of the transport budget was spent on public transport. We now spend over two thirds on buses, trains, ferries, cycling, walking and other forms of public transport. Our free bus travel scheme for older and disabled people is proving very popular.

We want to do more. The importance of transport is increasing. We want to make certain Scotland has the skills, the experience and the structures to deliver. In this document we set out our proposals. There will be a new transport agency for Scotland and a network of new regional transport partnerships. For the first time there will be a national strategy for Scottish transport.

This new approach gives us the chance to improve dramatically Scotland's future transport, creating safer, higher-quality, better-integrated services that respect our environment. Most important of all it gives everyone involved in Scottish transport a new opportunity to work together in partnership, to make certain we deliver.

Nicol Stephen, MSP
Minister for Transport

Vision for Scotland’s transport future

An accessible Scotland with safe, integrated and reliable transport that supports economic growth, provides opportunities for all and is easy to use; a transport system that meets everyone's needs, respects our environment and contributes to health; services recognised internationally for quality, technology and innovation, and for effective and well-maintained networks; a culture where fewer short journeys are made by car, where we favour public transport, walking and cycling because they are safe and sustainable, where transport providers and planners respond to the changing needs of businesses, communities and users, and where one ticket will get you anywhere.

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