Performance summary

Performance summary

Performance summary

During 2022-23 Transport Scotland contributed towards the priorities in our Corporate and Business Plan 2021-24. A summary of our performance is included below.

Priority 1: continue to deliver the National Transport Strategy

The National Transport Strategy sets out an ambitious and compelling vision for our transport system for the next 20 years.

This year we progressed the Fair Fares Review, which 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. We engaged with stakeholders to develop more multi-modal smart ticketing and payment options, maintained the National Concessionary Travel Scheme, and continued to work with operators to deliver the Accessible Travel Framework.

Priority 2: to conduct the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2)

STPR2 will inform transport investment in Scotland for the next 20 years by providing evidence-based recommendations on which Scottish Ministers can base future transport investment decisions. The final reports were published in December 2022.

The A92/A96 Haudagain Improvement opened to traffic in May 2022 with substantial completion achieved on the A77 Maybole Bypass in September 2022, supporting the local and regional economies.

To support the uptake of low emission vehicles Transport Scotland introduced Low Emission Zones in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee in 2022 and to support the target to halve the number of people killed or injured on our roads by 2030, work continued on the Strategic Road Safety Plan.

Works to decarbonise the Barrhead to Glasgow railway line are on site and plans to decarbonise the East Kilbride line are in the detailed design phase. The Island Communities Impact Assessment Report was published in December 2022 and will support our long-term investment programme.

Priority 3: to support the Covid Recovery Strategy

The Scottish Government Covid Recovery Strategy sets out a vision to address systemic inequalities made worse by Covid-19, make progress towards a wellbeing economy, and accelerate inclusive person-centred public services.

Transport Scotland supported the growth of supply chain by working with Enterprise Agencies on the Heavy-Duty Vehicle Programme, reviewing evidence on supply chain mapping for sustainable aviation fuel and maritime decarbonisation, and working with St Andrew's University to deliver a new phase of the Hydrogen Accelerator to support innovation in hydrogen technology for transport.

We continued to work with Network Rail, the Department of Transport, Great British Railways Transition Team, and other partners to support the resilient and efficient operations of the railway.

Priority 4: to support the transition to net zero by taking forward actions to support the Climate Change Plan

The Scottish Government Climate Change Plan commits to reducing emissions by 75% by 2030 (compared with 1990) and to net zero by 2045.

Our 2022-23 investment enabled purchase of 1200 ultra-low emission vehicles and the Network Management Contracts for our trunk roads continue to deliver environmental and sustainability requirements.

As well as supporting a move to rail freight, we have supported the development of a hydrogen fuel cell train as a potential solution for future rolling stock and the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment 2 project is progressing and is expected to see both electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft tested.

Priority 5: to put people at the heart of our delivery

Our people are what will enable Transport Scotland to deliver a sustainable, inclusive, safe, and accessible transport system.

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. This has included regular virtual all staff engagement sessions with the Chief Executive, and a move to Office 365 to enable better collaborative working.

We have started to review the size and shape of Transport Scotland to best address both current and future challenges. This work will continue through 2023-24 and will consider how we work together to deliver our business objectives.

We have also taken the opportunity, as we relocate our headquarters, to explore options for the best physical working environment for our people while making the most efficient use of estate space.