Performance analysis

Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23

Performance analysis

Performance analysis

The purpose of this section is to provide a detailed analysis of the performance of the organisation in 2022-23.

Performance

We assess our performance against the objectives in our business plan. Each objective is grouped under our corporate plan priorities and measured against the progress expected at the start or the year. We are continuing to develop and refine our Key Performance Indicators and milestones to improve our programme and portfolio management.

Priority 1: continue to deliver the National Transport Strategy (NTS)
2022-23 Objective 2022-23 Progress
To develop the future transport system for Scotland considering governance, demand, and funding particularly in the transition from the Covid-19 pandemic. We are progressing the Fair Fares Review (FFR) to ensure a sustainable and integrated approach to public transport fares that supports the future long-term viability of our public transport system as we recover from the pandemic. The FFR is considering both the cost and availability of services and the range of discounts and concessionary schemes which are available on all modes including bus, rail, and ferry to ensure our public transport system is more accessible, available, and affordable, with the costs of transport more fairly shared across government, business, and society.
To lead and provide direction on strategic transport planning in Scotland by providing advice and expertise to inform and appraise transport policy and decision making. Transport Scotland provide advice to organisations seeking Government funding for transport projects and policies and apply rigour to our internal business cases through robust evidence based challenge.
To lead national projects, and support regional projects, with local transport authorities and operators to deliver more multi-modal smart ticketing and payment options and improve travel data provision and maintain the National Concessionary Travel Scheme. Meetings held six-weekly with Scottish Rail Holdings and ScotRail Trains to develop smart ticketing activity. This includes review of the Host Operator Processing System (both Transport Scotland and ScotRail have one).
To fund active travel delivery partners, to work in partnership with local authorities and others to deliver active travel infrastructure projects and sustainable and active behaviour change. Our delivery partners continued to drive delivery of projects through to year end, with a view to minimising underspend. We saw minor underspends on Cycling Walking Safer Routes (CWSR) and the Regional Transport Active Travel Fund. A lot of engagement took place with delivery partners to refine proposals as we navigated the Investment Decision Making board and Portfolio Accountable Officer approval. In regard to strategic thinking, conversations with Sustrans in the context of the Transformation Project have helped further inform the preferred delivery model for 2024-25 onwards, and we expect there to be further input required on this in 2023-24.
To work with transport operators and stakeholders to deliver more of the outcomes set out in the Accessible Travel Framework and further improve the Blue Badge service. Delivery activity is ongoing for legacy priorities e.g., Hate Crime Charter, Inclusive Design, Accessible Travel Framework (ATF) evaluation projects. The Disability Equality Scotland project is underway and making good progress with a successful webinar in February 2023 and first draft report received March 2023 (a key milestone for development of new ATF delivery programme). The Blue Badge revised Code of Practice was completed in 2022.
To enable faster decarbonisation of the Scottish bus fleet through funding incentives and supporting work on new fleet financing models. Final reports of the Market Transition Scheme have been received and assessed for Q4, with majority of funding awards dispensed.
Priority 2: to conduct the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2)
2022-23 Objective 2022-23 Progress
To ensure consumers and businesses benefit from affordable, reliable, and accessible infrastructure that supports uptake of zero emission vehicles. Low Emission Zones introduced, with enforcement commencing in Glasgow in June 2023.
To progress the A9 Dualling programme between Perth and Inverness and the A96 dualling programme between Inverness and Aberdeen. The Minister for Transport confirmed in a statement to Parliament on 8 February 2023 that the completion date for the A9 Dualling Programme of 2025 is no longer achievable and a new timetable update will be provided to Parliament in Autumn 2023. Although the current plan is to fully dual the A96 route between Inverness and Aberdeen, a transparent, evidence-based Review of the programme is underway. Following publication of the Public Consultation and Initial Appraisal reports for the Review on 22 December 2022 the next phase of detailed work to inform the remaining stages of the Review is being progressed, with outcomes for the detailed appraisal expected to be published for consultation in Summer 2023.
To design and deliver a programme of discrete projects supporting local and regional economies sustainably. The A92/A96 Haudagain Improvement opened to traffic on 16 May 2022. Substantial completion was achieved on 12 August 2022. The A77 Maybole Bypass achieved substantial completion on 8th September 2022. The A77 Symington to Bogend Toll streetlighting was connected and approved by Ayrshire Road Alliance, enabling the maintenance certificate to be issued on 6 October 2022.
To work with key stakeholders and partners on the implementation of the 2030 Road Safety Framework (RSF) to support the delivery of a safe system and achieve the target of the number of people being killed or seriously injured on our roads to be halved by 2030. The Strategic Road Safety Plan is currently being updated to reflect the RSF to 2030.
To fund Local Authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships to develop and deliver bus priority infrastructure projects in partnership with bus operators. We are currently reviewing several studies and responses to further information requests with input from Bus Partnership Fund consultants. A number of Gateway Review workshops have been held with Partnerships. Scoping has been agreed for the Glasgow Outline Business Case and a further £200,000 funding released to North East Partnership. Processed all accruals and currently processing Q4 claims.
To make accurate, timely payments to bus operators to enable them to run services and carry concessionary passengers for free. Payments have continued on track through 2022-23.
To ensure the successful development and delivery of Scotland's Rail Enhancements Portfolio, including effective management of the Rail Enhancement Budget. Development of the Rail Decarbonisation Programme has progressed and works to decarbonise the Barrhead to Glasgow Line are on site. Plans to decarbonise the East Kilbride line are in the detailed design phase.
To produce, maintain and implement a long-term plan and investment programme for new ferries and development at ports to improve resilience, reliability, capacity, and accessibility, to increase standardisation, and reduce emissions and meet the needs of island communities. Draft of the Long-Term Plan for Vessels and Ports was published 30 December 2022 and shared with key stakeholders for comment.
Priority 3: to support the Covid-19 recovery strategy
2022-23 Objective 2022-23 Progress
To support the growth of supply chains and innovations that capitalise on Scotland's strengths and support sustainable economic growth. A range of activities were developed to support Mission Zero for Transport to support economic benefit from the transition to Net Zero including: Working with Enterprise Agencies on the Heavy Duty Vehicle Programme. Reviewing evidence on supply chain mapping for sustainable aviation fuel and maritime decarbonisation. Implementing an evidence-based approach to prioritising opportunities from the transition. Developing plans for stakeholder engagement with the cross-modal Mission Zero Advisory Group. Working with St Andrew's University to deliver a new phase of the Hydrogen Accelerator to support innovation in hydrogen technology for transport.
To support a Just Transition and growth of new skills while minimising avoidable disruption. To support the decarbonisation of transport in Scotland, Transport Scotland has been assessing where there are skills gaps and skills shortages across all modes of the transport sector.
To support and deliver best practice in all Transport Scotland's procurement activity. Updates to Transport Scotland's Contract Database are now complete, with minor snagging issues being passed to the contractor for action as they arise. Supplier feedback was shared internally and with suppliers in February 2023. Lessons learned meetings were held and reports were updated during the period. Ad hoc advice on contractual and procurement matters on several procurements was given during the period.
To establish new working arrangements with UK Government and other devolved nations in light of the UK's withdrawal from the EU and prepare for any future constitutional changes considering international, EU and UK level developments. We maintained and continued to develop our relations with the UK Government. Terms of Reference to International Ministerial Group have now been agreed.
To continue to safely operate and maintain the trunk road network. Road casualty performance has declined substantially in 2022 with an increase of circa 30% in fatalities across the country compared to 2021. All four operating company units are now operating under the new Network Management Contracts. This provides a greater focus on service delivery and the customer.
To develop, consult on, publish bus, and smart related guidance and regulations coming out of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019. Since June 2022, local transport authorities have had the powers to run their own local services, which sits alongside their existing ability to subsidise local bus services. Regulations improving the information sharing process when operators vary or cancel a service came into force on 1 April 2023. Secondary legislation to enable the remaining bus provisions of the Act (partnerships and franchising) will begin to be introduced later this year. Transport Scotland will continue to work with partners as these regulations are developed.
To review the services and identify opportunities for improvement across the rail network in Scotland, starting with West Highland and Southwest rural routes. Transport Scotland are concluding the assessment of (Scottish Transport Analysis Guide) STAG appraisals for three proposed stations in south west Scotland and intend to make recommendations in Q1 of 2023-24. Ongoing considerations of south west transport interventions are to be delivered via the STPR 2 Delivery Plan.
To support the resilient and efficient operations of Scotland's Railway We continue to engage closely with Network Rail and other relevant partners to respond to adverse weather events through the Network Rail Extreme Weather Action Team process, pressing for best possible response and to maintain supporting connectivity, particularly to rural routes providing lifeline services. This includes supporting rail industry staff with wider transport issues and incidents. Aligned to this we continue to participate in 'Scotland's Railway Response to Earthworks & Weather Action Task Force Steering Group', reducing risk and delivering improvement in infrastructures ability to cope with the impacts of climate change. Periodic timetable changes continue to be developed on the basis of changed travel patterns, ensuring capacity meets demand and support patronage recovery.
To progress with a programme of rail reform to develop plans for long term structural change, designed to maximise the efficiency, performance, and responsiveness of rail services. We continue to engage with both Department for Transport and Great British Railways Transition Team to inform policy development to ensure that the needs of Scotland's Railway and users are fully included.
To review current structure and governance around provision of ferry services and to continue to support and manage existing lifeline ferry service contracts and complete the award of the CHFS 3 Contract. Working internally to consider the impact of extending the current CHFS contract and how this will be managed. Working with both operators to realise the impact on operations as a result of increased CPI and potential for other risks out with contract, i.e., energy prices / offshore.
Priority 4: to support the transition to net zero by taking forward actions to support the climate change plan
2022-23 Objective 2022-23 Progress
To support strategically coordinated investment in the charging network to achieve wider energy and transport system benefits and efficiencies. Further funding proposal submitted for the 2023-24 tax year with the objective of building on existing activity of the collaboration between Transport Scotland in the low carbon transport skills area. Key areas of the work will include the targeted provision of low carbon transport skills equipment, undertaking a Hydrogen STEM Challenge and create a database of transport training equipment to support better impact assessments.
To incentivise the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) while supporting NTS priorities and sustainable transport outcomes. A successful scheme in 2022-23 will enable the purchase of around 1,200 vehicles.
To take forward actions to support the Climate Change Plan and transport's response to the Global Climate Emergency and meet our emission reduction targets. Work is ongoing to develop the required policies for transport to contribute to the emissions reductions required to meet the Scottish Government emission targets.
To demonstrate environmental sustainability through the delivery of environmental protection, community benefit, climate change mitigation / adaptation and air quality initiatives across our operations, projects, and maintenance activities. The Network Management Contracts continued to deliver their environmental and sustainability requirements. Performance under these contracts was subject to monthly review by officials and the Performance Audit Group. Environmental impact assessment process has ensured the impacts of trunk road work were properly mitigated and managed. Collaborative working promoted through the Vulnerable Locations Operations Group, which delivered against the majority of its trunk road adaptation budget and also helped raise standards of environmental /adaptation awareness and delivery.
To demonstrate environmental sustainability through the delivery of environmental protection, community benefit, climate change mitigation / adaptation and air quality initiatives across our operations, projects, and maintenance activities. Transport Scotland's Approach to Climate Change and Resilience Strategy was completed and issued to Ministers for approval. Contractual requirements for community benefits continued to be delivered and reviewed in accordance with contractual requirements.
To decarbonise Scotland's passenger rail services by 2035, ahead of the UK's target of 2040. Progress continues with development of the rail Decarbonisation Programme. Works to decarbonise the Barrhead to Glasgow Line are on site, with a target completion date of December 2023.
To continue to work with rail industry partners to consolidate and accelerate our progress with supporting rail freight to ensure it plays an increasing role in Scotland's green economic recovery and long-term economic growth. We have continued to focus on growing rail freight, ensuring that its benefits are fully considered in all major rail projects and reflected in STPR2 and Climate Change Plan updates. The regulatory rail freight growth target has been effective in changing behaviours and producing results with five new daily rail freight services starting this year. We continue to work with companies looking to invest in rail freight facilities to encourage and facilitate this, ensuring that they have access to industry partners. The new rail freight terminal at Blackford for Highland Spring was opened in August 2022. The industry was consulted on the rail freight growth target for the next rail control period and the valuable information provided on future gauging requirements has helped to identify early benefits for freight through the clearance work required for our decarbonisation projects.
To work with developers of hydrogen fuel cell trains to accelerate their development and appropriate deployment through practical trials in Scotland. We have continued to support the development of hydrogen fuel cell trains as a potential solution for future rolling stock options for Scotland's Railways. This included the funding of the Bo'ness Hydrogen train project which has now concluded. We continue to engage with academia and industry around future developments of hydrogen fuel solutions for rail including potential trials that could be supported by Scotland's Railways.
To monitor trials of low / zero emission aircraft in Scotland. Following the successful delivery of the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) one project led by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), the SATE 2 project is progressing and is expected to see further testing of electric and hydrogen powered aircraft as well as Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAVs). This will create valuable data to help inform future decisions on use of zero emission aircraft on the Highlands and Islands network when such aircraft are certified to carry passengers on scheduled flights.
Priority 5: to put people at the heart of our delivery
2022-23 Objective 2022-23 Progress
To work collaboratively ensuring we provide honest, professional advice, guidance and support that is clear and inclusive. We have produced and published a high-quality, accessible website, and social media content to support delivery of our organisational objectives. Our support to Ministers has been reviewed and revised following changes to the ministerial team with transitional briefing provided at all levels.
To continue to provide a range of financial and corporate systems in support of our organisational objectives. The Transport Scotland Senior Management Team have continued to provide regular monthly financial and budgetary reporting alongside ad hoc advice and additional information as required. The Transport Scotland Senior Management Team have continued to provide Human Resource Management, risk and performance reporting alongside ad hoc advice and additional information as required.
To continue to look at how we deliver our services, with an improvement mind-set, ensuring they are efficient, effective and continue to meet the needs of our people As we have moved to a hybrid working approach, following prolonged remote working during the Covid-19 pandemic, we have sought to make best use of digital tools for staff engagement and to support efficient and effective delivery. We have reviewed how risk is managed and reported across the organisation, with revisions made to our risk framework and training on risk management now mandatory for all staff and sought to better integrate this with our business planning.
To continue to look at how we deliver our services, with an improvement mind-set, ensuring they are efficient, effective and continue to meet the needs of our people This has included regular virtual all staff engagement sessions with the Chief Executive, a move to Office 365 to enable better collaborative working and a move to a temporary headquarters as work on our move to 177 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, continues. We have taken this opportunity to explore options for the best working environment for our people while making the most efficient use of estate space. We have started to review the size and shape of Transport Scotland to best address both current and future challenges. Informed by the results of the 2022 staff survey we have delivered an internal campaign to raise awareness of the wide range of roles, responsibilities, and activity across Transport Scotland. This work will continue through 2023-24 and will consider how we work together to deliver our business objectives.