Our directorates

There are eight Transport Scotland directorates:

Bus, Accessibility and Active Travel

This Directorate is responsible for the Scottish Government's policy relating to bus, active travel, smart and integrated ticketing and accessible travel, including:

  • Enabling local authorities, operators and delivery partners to improve sustainable, accessible local transport options and get the travelling public back on the buses
  • Promoting walking, cycling and wheeling
  • Operating the concessionary bus travel scheme for disabled, older and young people
  • Working with operators to ensure all journeys on Scotland's bus, rail, ferry, subway and tram networks can be ticketed or paid for using smart technologies

Ferries

This Directorate supports Scotland’s transport links for our island and remote communities and is responsible for legislation, policy and guidance relating to Scotland's ferries and ports including

  • Management and future development of Clyde and Hebrides (CHFS) and Northern Isles (NIFS) ferry contracts
  • Vessel and infrastructure replacement
  • Islands Connectivity Plan
  • Operational policy development, including fares, timetabling, accessibility
  • Strategic policy development and impacts across wider Ministerial portfolios (Islands, Energy, Food & Drink, Environment, Climate Change etc.)
  • Broad range of active stakeholders for island communities, SMEs/industries (food/drink, tourism, etc.), local authorities, essential services
  • Local Authority Ferries administration of Scottish Government funding, task forces and engagement
  • Maritime policy including ports, harbours and shipping

Finance and Corporate Services

This Directorate supports the operation and governance of Transport Scotland, including:

  • Providing staff across the organisation with dedicated HR and Learning and Development, ICT, workplace & facilities management and health and safety services
  • Helping the organisation to run smoothly through advice, support and challenge on information governance, business planning and risk management, as well as coordinating corporate correspondence
  • Aiding Transport Scotland messaging both internally and externally through corporate, digital and media communications
  • Providing technical and management accounting support to policy areas to drive best practice, compliance and value for money
  • Overseeing the financial accounting and reporting function of the organisation, as well as providing an accounts payable service
  • Providing a strategic advice and coordination function to the Cabinet Secretary on Portfolio Finance
  • Ensuring the smooth running of the organisation’s Health and Safety and Audit and Risk Committees
  • Providing assurance that the public bodies we sponsor are well governed and effectively delivering Scottish Minister priorities.

Environment, Climate and Sustainability Directorate

This Directorate works across Government, and with our partners and stakeholders, to protect the environment, tackle climate change and promote sustainability in the Scottish transport system. Responsibilities include:

  • Leading on the delivery of the Scottish Government's road transport Climate Change targets, and supporting the delivery of Low Emission Zones in Scottish cities
  • Working with partners to improve the resilience of Scotland’s transport sector and help it adapt to the effects of climate change
  • Driving the transition to zero emission vehicles for consumers and fleets through legislation, regulation, research, advice, engagement and support
  • Delivering Scotland’s Vision for public electric vehicle (EV) charging, working with local authorities and the private sector to leverage private investment to continue to grow public EV charging in Scotland at pace and scale
  • Exploring long-term grid implications of electrification of transport
  • Collaborating with partners on economic and workforce strategy within the Transport Just Transition Plan
  • Support environmental protection, sustainability, landscape and biodiversity through the development and maintenance of the Scottish trunk road network
  • Engaging with the haulage sector on the efficient and sustainable movement of road freight

Major Projects

This Directorate is responsible for design, development, procurement and construction of major trunk road improvement projects across Scotland. Other responsibilities include:

  • Planning, development and construction of major transportation projects across Scotland
  • Delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, such as road upgrades, expansions and bridge constructions
  • Co-ordinating with various stakeholders, including government agencies, local authorities, private contractors and design consultants, to ensure project alignment and successful implementation
  • Conducting feasibility studies, risk assessments and environmental impact assessments to inform project decision making
  • Monitoring project progress, budget adherence, and quality standards to ensure timely completion and satisfactory outcomes
  • Leading and advising on procurement and contract management matters for Transport Scotland
  • Contributing to our ambition to become a Centre of Excellence for the delivery of major projects

Rail

This Directorate is responsible for Scotland's rail policy and delivery, including:

  • Developing rail policy and strategic planning, including aligning it with wider social and economic policy
  • Delivering major projects alongside industry partners
  • Promoting and investing in the development of sustainable rail freight
  • Managing economic regulation of the railways, and monitoring and advising on the affordability of the rail programme

Roads

This Directorate is responsible for:

  • the safe, efficient, and sustainable operation and maintenance of the Scottish Trunk Roads
  • Asset management and technical standards
  • procurement, contracts and commercial management
  • Roads policy
  • Road safety casualty reduction
  • Intelligent Transport Systems
  • Transport resilience, winter service, incident response and planning for major events
  • Roads and structures design standards

Transport Strategy and Analysis

This Directorate is responsible for strategic direction, supported by evidence and analysis, including:

  • Oversight of the delivery of the National Transport Strategy and the transport sector's contribution to the Government's statutory targets, priorities and missions. For example, climate change policy and transport's contribution to the Scottish Government Climate Change plan including a just transition for Transport
  • Supporting the organisation with analytical research, statistics, transport appraisal, economics, modelling and evaluation
  • The future of Transport including public transport fares, integration and modal shift
  • The route map to reducing car use in Scotland and establishing a demand management framework
  • Advice and support on transport infrastructure investment, including application of Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance and business case development
  • Portfolio management for Transport at Cabinet, including performance reporting. and coordination
  • Strategic relationships with UK and other devolved administrations, EU alignment and relevant legislation
  • Transport governance, including strategic relationship with Regional Transport Partnerships, sponsorship of the Scottish Roadworks Commissioner and Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland, also oversight of European Regional Development Funding for low carbon transport

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