Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS)

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Overview

MACS believes in a Scotland without the barriers that isolate and exclude disabled people from making their choice of successful door to door journeys."

The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) was established in 2002 and is an advisory non departmental public body. The Convener and Members are appointed by the Minister for Transport.

MACS was formally constituted under section 72 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001. Prior to this advice was provided by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) on a UK wide basis and there was no equivalent Scottish body.

The role of MACS is set out in the Act as being to:

  • consider matters about the needs of disabled persons in connection with transport that the committee think are appropriate
  • advise the Scottish Ministers about those matters that the committee think are appropriate.

The Committee has 15 members with various skills, knowledge and experience gained through their fields of expertise and lived experiences. Members have collective responsibility for the effective operation of MACS, and are led by the Convener.

The Convener gives active and effective leadership, direction, support and guidance to ensure that MACS delivers its functions effectively and efficiently, consistent with Ministers’ priorities.

You can keep up to date with MACS on Twitter.

Partnership for Change

MACS signed up to the Scottish Government’s Partnership for Change and committed to working towards 50/50 by 2020.

MACS Publication Scheme

Our aims

The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) is a non-departmental advisory public body. Within the founding legislation the Scottish Ministers have defined the overall aim for MACS as follows:

MACS will consider such matters relating to the needs of disabled persons in connection with transport as the Committee think appropriate and give advice to Scottish Ministers.”

In doing so, the Convener aims to ensure, that MACS’ policies and actions supports the wider strategic policies of the Scottish Ministers.  This aligns with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MACS and Transport Scotland (TS), our Sponsors. 

The MACS Strategic Remit

  • Give Scottish Ministers advice on aspects of policy, legislation and practice affecting the travel needs of disabled people
  • Take account of the broad views and lived experiences of disabled people when giving advice
  • Encourage awareness amongst disabled people in Scotland of developments which affects their mobility, choices and opportunities
  • Work closely with Scottish Government and ensure our work programme complements the work being undertaken by the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Committee (IMTAC), the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), the Scottish Human Rights Commission, the Equality, the and Human Rights Commission and other organisations, voluntary and statutory.
  • Promote the travel needs of disabled people with designers including transport planners and operators so that these are fully taken into account in the development of vehicles and infrastructure and delivery of services.
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our work against the above aims and objectives in improving travel opportunities for disabled people in Scotland.

Our vision

MACS believes in a Scotland without the barriers that isolate and exclude disabled people from making their choice of successful door to door journeys.”

This paper provides the Committee’s Strategic Plan for 2021/24. It has been developed based on the Committee’s engagements and discussions over the past year and particularly since lockdown in March 2020.

The Committee has been asked by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Mr. Michael Matheson MSP, for its views in relation to the progress of the Accessible Travel Framework Annual Delivery Plan and more recently on some elements of the work of the Transport Transition Plan (TTP) Advisory Group and Transport Equalities Network (both chaired by Transport Scotland). The later two groups were formed in response to C-19 to assist with transport transition planning for the stages of the route map out of lock down.

It is anticipated that the work of these groups will feed into the “shifted” starting point of the National Transport Strategy (NTS2). MACS will be represented on this Delivery Board.

MACS responds to requests for advice from Scottish Ministers across portfolio in the recognition of the cross cutting element of transport as an enabler, but also develops its own work programme to scrutinise progress of the Accessible Travel Framework (ATF) Annual Delivery Plan (ADP) and the NTS2. Our work promotes the importance of specific issues in reducing inequalities (a key pillar of the NTS2) to provide a public transport system that aligns with the Triple A check produced by MACS - that public transport is:

  • Available
  • Accessible
  • Affordable for all 

Our high level objectives seek to define the strategic approach MACS will take with its engagement in these specific areas. The time scale for this work is based on the knowledge that a reduction in inequalities will span more than one year though the high level objectives will be revisited annually to sense check against progress, lag areas and needs.

In working to progress the above, MACS will also take into account the commitments made by Scottish Ministers through PfG and the need for inclusive and accessible infrastructures to enabled the first and last mile of journeys (example, from home to bus stop and inter modal connections) as part of the holistic journey.

In order to do its work the Committee routinely engages with external stakeholders to gather evidence, exchange information with our colleagues across the UK, carry out research and publish guidance and reports. The Committee also responds to appropriate consultations to inform policy and service development.

Our values

We are ambitious

We are not afraid to take on difficult issues and speak up in pursuit of positive change. We underpin our approach by drawing from lived experience, listening and responding to the voices of disabled people, continuing our research to build on our existing knowledge and a commitment to learning and continuous improvement.

We connect

We work collaboratively and are informed by the knowledge and experience of those we work for and with.  We are visible, accessible, empathetic and compassionate in our interactions and value quality relationships based on honesty, understanding, support and an appetite and willingness for positive change. We keep disabled people and their needs at the centre of our work.

Our independence is a valuable asset, but we recognise that working with others makes us all stronger.

We are courageous and honest

We say what is right and not what is easy to help to drive progress and positive change. We constructively challenge where needed and work with others to find solutions to make transport and travel more accessible and affordable. We welcome challenge and feedback in order to improve our own work.

We act with integrity and transparency

We take personal and collective responsibility for our work and actions and how we use our resources and limited capacity. We are transparent, trustworthy, consistent, and open about our successes and failings.

Our work

Annual reports

Easy read versions

MACS Code of conduct

MACS Framework Document

MACS strategic plan

MACS Work Plan

Workstreams' workplans

Previous years

Consultation responses

Reports and examples of good practice

MACS Thematic Subgroups

Motability

Transition plan guidance

Transport to Health

2013-2018 MACS archive

Includes annual reports and consultation responses

View archive

Meetings

The Mobility and Access Committee (MACS) meet as a committee every month. In addition MACS workstream leads meet on a quarterly basis. The committee also hold regular development and scoping days throughout the year. The dates of these meetings are listed below:

MACS meetings

2024

2023

2022

2021

Members of the public are welcome to attend MACS meetings. The Secretariat requires a minimum of one week's notice of attendance. Depending on the venue up to 5 places are available. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

If you wish to attend please contact macs@gov.scot or telephone 0131 244 0923.

Minutes of previous meetings

 

Past minutes of MACS meetings are available via the UK web archive.

View MACS meeting minutes from 2017-18.

Members' biographies

 

Photo of Linda BamfordLinda Bamford (MACS Convener)

Linda’s career background is in NHS Scotland, initially as a psychiatric and general nurse before moving into para medicine with the Scottish Ambulance Service.

After 13 years as a frontline paramedic in Glasgow Linda moved into management holding various senior positions within the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS). Her NHS career spanned over 30 years. She was heavily involved in Accident and Emergency ambulance service provision in various areas in Scotland (urban, rural and Islands) and led on the previous Patient Transport Service Redesign Strategy.

She is the recipient of two queen’s medals. One for “Long Service and Good Conduct – Emergency Services”, and the second for “Dedication to the NHS”. As well as her appointment as Convener with the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland, Linda also holds a Ministerial appointment as a Non-Council Board Member with the Southeast of Scotland Regional Transport Partnership (SEStrans). Linda is also an equality advisor to the Board of Cairngorms National Park Authority and an Ambassador with Spinal Injuries Scotland

Linda brings to her roles, lived experience as a disabled person and qualifications including a master’s in business administration and a Diploma in Counselling. She has specialised in areas such as Strategic Planning, Operational Management and Service Delivery, Corporate Governance, Performance and Risk Management, Business Continuity and Resilience Planning, Change Management, Team Building and Leadership Development and Organisational Planning utilising project methodologies.

Linda is passionate about fair and equal access for all and has devoted a great deal of her time to advocating the needs of disabled people in relation to transport and travel, including seeking acknowledgement and a stronger focus on the role of transport as an enabler of human rights.

Portrait photo of MACS member Simon Watkins.

Simon Watkins (Vice Convener)

Simon began working with Cumbernauld Corporation before moving to the then Strathclyde Regional Council as a planner. He was seconded for ten years to an EU Programme, assisting Local Authorities in Central and Eastern Europe, the last two years as Director.

Naghat Ahmed

Naghat Ahmed

Naghat is a Law and Accountancy graduate and a committee member for the Law Society of Scotland Client Protection Sub-committee.

She is also a board member for the Care Inspectorate and a non-executive member for Social Security Scotland. Naghat is a member of the Roads, Infrastructure & Active Travel and Ferries and Aviation work-streams.

Catherine Barile

Catherine graduated from the University of Dundee with an honours Law degree and Diploma in Legal Practice.

After qualifying as a Solicitor, she worked in private practice for 10 years, specialising in mental health law, before becoming a Children’s Reporter for the Scottish Children’s Reporter’s Administration where she is an active member of the disability group.

She grew up in a family with physical disabilities and she is passionate about protecting and promoting the rights of disabled people.

Elliot Cooper

Elliot is a writer and content creator who brings his lived experience as a full-time wheelchair user as well as interdisciplinary academic knowledge to the role, complementing a lifelong commitment to Human Rights and accessibility.

Joanne Fairweather

Joanne Devitt

Joanne is a member of Enable Scotland, an organisation for people with learning disabilities and family carers.

She is involved with ACE (Active Community of Empowered people with learning disabilities), who challenge barriers to an equal society for every person with learning disability in every community across Scotland. She was elected by her local Elgin ACE members to represent their group at the National ACE meetings.

Through lived experience and work with ACE, she understands local and national issues for disabled people. Joanne is based in Moray and is someone who has a learning disability she has first-hand knowledge of the barriers faced when using transport.

Susan Fulton

Susan Fulton

Susan has worked in a Local Authority setting for many years and has experience in several different roles diversifying into the field of accessibility and inclusive design in 2004.

Susan brings her experience both as a Chartered Surveyor and Access Consultant to the Committee.

Susan is currently a member of Network Rail’s Built Environment Accessibility Panel, a member of the National Register of Access Consultants Advisory Group and a Director of Disability Equality Scotland.

Lesley Macinnes

Lesley has spent most of her career in public service, including a long period in Geneva as the Deputy Support Director of an international NGO responsible for humanitarian demining (landmines and cluster munitions) and for administering the international Secretariat for the Ottawa Treaty.

More recently, she has served as an elected councillor in Edinburgh, leading political efforts on transport and the environment and has led on the City Mobility Plan, the City Centre Transformation strategy, the Low Emission Zone and the Trams to Newhaven project.

After the May 2022 elections, Ms Macinnes became her party’s spokesperson on finance.

Portrait photo of MACS member Anne Macleod

Anne Macleod

Anne is a native Gaelic speaker from the Isle of Lewis, graduated from Sabhal Mòr with an Honours degree in Gaelic and Communication.

As the Manager of Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, an award-winning heritage centre in the north of Lewis she led on a recently launched project to provide an accessible transport solution for those unable to use public transport.

Anne has a passion for community development and a personal understanding of the challenges facing disabled people travelling to and from islands; she travels regularly with a family member with complex disabilities.

"Portrait

Lynn Pilkington

Lynn is a consultant trainer and blogger combining expertise of equalities and engagement, to create content to support employers, facilitators, educators, and HR professionals to build impactful and inclusive workplaces and learning experiences.

Lynn is also a childcare support worker/play practitioner.

Lynn was previously the Social Movement Support Officer for See Me and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer for City of Glasgow College.

Portrait photo of MACS member Lynsey Shovlin.

Lynsey Shovlin

Lynsey has served on the Mobility and Access Committee (MACS) since 2021, applying her skills as an experienced Project Manager.

She was one of Scotland’s first Customer Service Apprentices for ScotRail in 2011, gaining insights into improving accessibility for all.

Having a , Lynsey knows first-hand the challenges of accessing public transport. She now draws on her lived experience to advise MACS on enhancing Scotland’s transport for disabled citizens and is dedicated to achieving an inclusive, barrier-free transportation system.

Zara Todd

Zara is a freelance trainer, facilitator and researcher who has been supporting organisations to be more inclusive and accessible to disabled people for nearly 20 years.

She previously advised the UK Government and Transport for London on disability and accessibility.

Zara is a wheelchair user, neurodivergent and an active transport user. Zara is also a trustee of Volunteering Matters, Disability Equality Scotland, and a board member of Disabled People's International.

Michael Tornow

Michael Tornow

Michael has been a MACS Committee Member since 2017. He is a member of the Committee’s workstreams on Rail as well as and Roads, Infrastructure and Active Travel. He also is a member of the Transport to Health Subgroup. Michael has lived experience of disability as he is blind, a guide dog owner and has a hearing impairment.

He has drawn upon his lived experience to contribute to a National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE) Committee updating NICE’s guidelines on physical activity and the environment. He contributed to this Committee advising on changes to the built and natural environment that aim to make disabled people more physically active.

Michael is a Senior Health Improvement Officer at Public Health Scotland where he is currently contributing to work on housing and health. Before that Michael worked for NHS Health Scotland as Health Improvement Officer, in roles including physical activity promotion and equalities. Before that he worked for the Disability Rights Commission and Glasgow Housing Association.

Michael has a BA Honours Degree in Sociology and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Housing, both from Stirling University. He has a master’s degree in Equality and Human Rights from Glasgow University and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Physical Activity for Health from Edinburgh University.

Nariese Whyte

Nariese is a Casework Officer in the Scottish Parliament where they engage with constituents on a local level. Nariese was an elected Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament from 2017-19, and an MYP for Central Scotland from 2018-19.Nariese is a wheelchair user and a disability rights activist being a co-founder of the Disabled Students Association of Stirling.

Secretariat and contact details

A secretariat within Transport Scotland serves MACS. The secretariat is located in Victoria Quay in Edinburgh.

The Secretariat responsibilities include: circulating information to members informing members of consultations updating the MACS website arranging and organising meetings circulating meeting papers supporting the Convener and preparing minutes of meetings processing payments of allowances and expenses co-ordinating appropriate representation by Committee members at external events facilitating media handling through Transport Scotland's Communication Office

The MACS Secretariat can be contacted at:

Transport Scotland
Area 2D Dockside
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ

E-mail: macs@gov.scot

Recruitment

Applications will open soon to appoint a new Convener to MACS and full details will be posted here in October 2024.

Marsali Craig on MACS

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David Hunter on MACS

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