Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity comments on TATIS 2017

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:

“The figures today highlight the work we must continue in order to develop a greener and more sustainable transport network here in Scotland. I am confident that the policies of this government will bring us closer to that goal than ever before. There is much we can welcome in the areas of rail and aviation – and encouraging signs that perceptions around electric vehicles continue to improve.

 

“We are matching increasing rail demand with extra capacity and we are continuing to spend over £250 million a year to support our vital bus industry, working with operators to keep fares at affordable levels, and providing free bus travel to older and disabled passengers – where we have recently confirmed there will be no change to the age of eligibility for concessionary travel.

 

“While we are maintaining performance for walking and cycling, we are confident that the doubling of the active travel budget will help our partners deliver impactful infrastructure and behavioural change programmes which will revolutionise how we think about getting around, improving how we feel about our urban environment – and benefitting our health, communities and our economy.

 

“I have witnessed a great deal of commitment and determination on the part of operators to further improve the services we use every day here in Scotland – and I want to thank the commitment of our public transport workers who strive every day to keep Scotland moving. This government will continue to support our essential public transport network and work to bring about a more sustainable transport system for all.”

 

You can read Travel and Transport in Scotland 2017 here