Digital Travel Data Services

The overall aim of the Digital Travel Data Services (DTDS) project is to make public transport journey planning information easier and more accessible for everyone. Building on the legacy Traveline Scotland website and app services the travelling public in Scotland have used for many years, the DTDS project developed and launched the new-look website and app services in September 2024, followed by the first iteration of enhancements in April 2025.

Supported by a brand-new, next-generation data management system in the background, the project is now delivering enhancements and improvements to real-time public transport data, fares data, carbon emission information, and accessibility information. As well as improvements to active travel information, such as cycling schemes, walking, and wheeling routes. This is to provide better information to help the travelling public plan and make their journeys online.

We recognise that with the ever-evolving nature of services and routes, changes in fares, and the introduction of emerging modes, this is continuous effort and requires a collaborative approach with stakeholders throughout Scotland. That is why we are working closely with operators, local authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships, and other data providers, to improve and streamline data flows, enhancing accuracy, consistency, and the overall quality of transport data for Scotland.

We have adopted a user-centred approach to the design of the website and app. This approach is driven by extensive user research and engagement with a diverse mix of public transport users, including those likely to have access or other travel considerations. As part of our plans for continuous improvement, we intend to deliver further improvements and enhancements in 2026, and beyond.

Delivery of the refreshed Traveline Scotland website and app is a commitment outlined in the Programme for Government 2024-25. This is the first of a series of longer-term enhancements for Traveline Scotland being launched, supporting our vision for transport as outlined in our National Transport Strategy – encouraging a shift away from private car usage and towards sustainable public transport.

The vision: build and maintain a next-generation data management system and establish a single, accurate source of truth for all public travel related data across all public transport modes; while supporting improvements to real-time information, fares, ticketing, carbon emissions and accessibility information, as well as active travel information across Scotland. Meanwhile, maintain the public facing Traveline Scotland website and app services, with a fresh, inviting, and easy to use design that meets modern digital accessibility standards.

The Traveline Scotland website and app services, supported by our modern data management system, make it easier for people to choose sustainable public and active travel options, contributing to improved health and wellbeing, and climate related outcomes.

Travel is essential for access to work, education, health, and leisure opportunities. We want to break down the barriers to accessing public transport by making more information available to everyone. We want to help people plan journeys that suit their needs, whether focused on costs, time, carbon emissions, or accessibility requirements. The improvements we’ve made to the Traveline Scotland website and app have already made it easier for users to make better, more informed travel choices.

By providing better information about sustainable public transport options and active travel routes, we hope to give people confidence that they can complete their journey without the need of a car, and in return gain the health benefits of being more active, and improvements in overall air quality.

We are committed to working with our stakeholders across Scotland to support open data provision. We intend to host public transport data, and make it universally available as open data, so that transport operators and third-party planners such as Mobility as a Service (MaaS) providers, and Google Maps can use it to further enhance the experience for their users too.

The project also supports the ongoing delivery of fully integrated, smart ticketing and payment services across all public transport, and will help deliver our vision to use data and technology to improve information about public transport and active travel options, providing more convenient and user-friendly access to digital journey information.

• March 2023 - Four-year contract (with possible extension of two years) awarded to Trapeze Group (UK) Ltd to deliver the next generation of journey planning in Scotland
• 2024 - New Traveline Scotland website and app is launched, supported by a brand-new data management system
• April 2025 - Planned improvements released to the Traveline Scotland website and app services, such as data and accessibility enhancements
• Spring 2026 - Further enhancements planned, known as ‘Phase 2’ of the project.

The Digital Travel Data Services (DTDS) Project Team is led by Transport Scotland and is made up of Traveline Scotland as the Managed Service Provider, and Trapeze Group UK as the Supplier.

Traveline Scotland will continue to manage the public-facing Traveline Scotland website and app, while also managing relationships with data providers, the outgoing open data feeds, and provision of their 24/7 call centre.

Traveline Scotland is a public-private partnership between public transport operators, local authorities, as well as Transport Scotland, who together contribute funding, data, and expertise towards the day-to-day running of the service.

Trapeze Group UK have delivered the digital front and back-end systems, and have technical responsibility for collecting, maintaining, and enhancing the available data.

You can contact us at DTDS@transport.gov.scot

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders throughout the lifetime of this project. As part of our engagement strategy, we are working closely with a range of stakeholders to ensure they are given the opportunity to participate, and shape project requirements. For example, identifying relevant data sources and providing feedback at various stages of development.

Plans are now underway for our Managed Service Supplier, Traveline Scotland, to undertake a wide range of activities that will engage stakeholders such a transport operators, Local Authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships and other data providers to improve the quality and integrity of transport open data.

Stakeholder feedback is essential and helps inform the design and functionality of the services, ensuring they are accessible, easy to use, and helpful for everyone. Please feel free to reach us at dtds@transport.gov.scot if you would like to find out more.