Who we are
As an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, and Scotland’s national transport agency, we focus our activities on delivering, through our National Transport Strategy (NTS2), the transport driven National Outcomes within the National Performance Framework (NPF) and the Programme for Government (PfG).
Our purpose is to deliver the Scottish Government’s vision for transport which is set out in the National Transport Strategy 2.
Our vision is outlined within the National Transport Strategy (NTS2), to have a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system, helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors.
The National Transport Strategy sets out our vision for Scotland’s transport system to 2040. The vision is underpinned by four interconnected priorities: Reduces Inequalities, Takes Climate Action, Helps Deliver Inclusive Economic Growth and Improves our Health and Wellbeing.
The Strategy does not identify or present specific projects, schemes, initiatives or interventions, but sets out the strategic framework within which future decisions on investment will be made. However, delivery plans are published which highlight the actions being taken by the Scottish Government to deliver on the four priorities.
Our priorities are set out in the National Transport Strategy. These priorities will help us a deliver a transport system which:
Reduces inequalities
- Will provide fair access to services we need
- Will be easy to use for all
- Will be affordable for all
Takes Climate Action
- Will help deliver our net-zero target
- Will adapt to the effects of climate change
- Will enable greener, cleaner choices
Helps deliver inclusive economic growth
- Will get people and goods where they need to get to
- Will be reliable, efficient and high quality
- Will use beneficial innovation
Improves our health and wellbeing
- Will be safe and secure for all
- Will enable us to make healthy travel choices
- Will help make our communities great places to live
Our Organisation
The Chief Executive is the Accountable Officer for the Agency, appointed by the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government. They are supported by a senior management team comprising eight Executive Directors. Some oversee one or more transport modes and/or policy areas which are in turn supported by a range of teams covering all aspects of business delivery within their respective areas. There are others which provide cross-cutting support in prioritising future transport policy, climate and sustainability, and strategy and investments.
Our Values
Our values guide how we act, work together and with others. We all have a responsibility to uphold our values in everything we do. As Transport Scotland is an agency within Scottish Government, we follow the SG In the Service of Scotland values:
- We act with integrity
- We are inclusive
- We are collaborative
- We are innovative
- We are kind
What do these values mean for Transport Scotland?
Values guide us on how we, as individuals, behave and operate - even in the face of uncertainty and ambiguity. They inform team behaviours and ways of working and help shape our organisational policies and processes. We all have a responsibility to hold our values in everything we do.
Transport Scotland staff have developed bespoke statements on what these values mean for our organisation.
We act with integrity
We are honest and take responsibility for our actions
We are inclusive
We actively seek out contributions, ideas and perspectives from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and cultures
We are innovative
We continuously learn, improve how we work and welcome and develop ideas and approaches to help us deliver the best outcomes
We are collaborative
We work with others, breaking down silos and organisational barriers to achieve shared goals and improve outcomes
We are kind
We are respectful and act with compassion, consideration and empathy towards each other and the environment
Transformation Programme
Our Transformation Programme, launched in 2023-24, seeks to look collectively at our organisation and the way we work. This Programme is divided into six workstreams, which are a key driving force in securing Best Value through vision and leadership. These are: (1) Organisation Purpose; (2) Prioritisation Exercise; (3) Organisation Design; (4) Leadership and Managing Change; (5) Learning and Development; and (6) Wellbeing. Each of these workstreams has a Senior Management Team Lead to provide visibility and leadership through the process.
We are undertaking an Organisational Design programme within Transport Scotland to develop options for structural change, which will align resources to priorities and maximise efficiencies through collaborative working across teams – strengthening integration. This forms part of the wider Scottish Government’s Transformation programme and is aligned with the principles of Public Service Reform. This programme has provided us with an opportunity to reset our priorities to align better with the second National Transport Strategy.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
As part of the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland share its vision to be a world-leading, diverse employer where colleagues can be themselves at work. We are committed to giving all our colleagues the opportunity to shine and to nurturing talent at all levels with a diverse workforce reflective of the communities we serve. We foster an inclusive workforce culture which values the contribution of staff from all backgrounds because we know a more inclusive workspace is more productive and innovative.
Our Directorates
Bus, Accessibility and Active Travel
The Directorate is responsible for the Scottish Government’s policy relating to bus, active travel, smart and integrated ticketing, and accessible travel. It supports local authorities, delivery partners and bus operators to deliver sustainable, accessible local transport solutions and improve bus services. It promotes walking, cycling, and wheeling, operates the concessionary bus travel scheme for disabled, older, and young people, and works with operators to ensure all journeys on Scotland’s bus, rail, ferry, subway and tram networks can be ticketed or paid for using smart technologies.
Ferries
The Directorate promotes the connectivity of our islands and remote communities through contract management, vessel and infrastructure replacement and development of the Islands Connectivity Plan. The Directorate manages the ferry contracts for the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles services as well as developing future procurement strategy and operational policy, such as related to fares, for these services. It also works with a range of partners to deliver a programme of vessel replacement and related harbour and port infrastructure.
Finance and Corporate Services
The Directorate supports the operation and governance of the Agency, which includes core services and advice in areas such as finance, human resources, learning and development, information governance, IT, facilities, health and safety, secretariat, and communications.
The Directorate also plays a leading role on a range of corporate governance functions including risk management, the operation of the Audit and Risk Committee and corporate reporting requirements. It also has a sponsorship function looking after Scottish Ministers’ interests in David MacBrayne Limited, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, and Scottish Canals.
Environment, Climate & Sustainability
The Directorate’s purpose is to advise and support Ministers to deliver a Just Transition from a fossil fuelled transport system to a zero emission transport system supporting transport’s ability to improve our natural environment. This includes leading the Scottish Government’s mission to remove the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, delivering strategically coordinated investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure including for large road vehicles, encouraging skills development to support future net zero needs, working with partners to improve air quality, working to ensure the transport system in Scotland is adapted to the impacts of climate change, and supporting biodiversity and landscape improvements through the transport system.
Major Projects
Major Projects is responsible for design, development, procurement, and construction of major trunk road and other infrastructure projects across Scotland, alongside leading and advising on procurement and contract management matters for Transport Scotland and maintaining our status as a Centre of Excellence for the delivery of major projects.
Rail
This Directorate is responsible for Scotland's rail policy, delivering major projects alongside industry partners, promoting and investing in the development of sustainable rail freight, managing economic regulation of the railways, and monitoring and advising on the affordability of the rail programme. Rail Directorate also has oversight of the services provided by Scotrail Trains Ltd and Caledonian Sleeper Ltd which are overseen by Scottish Government’s wholly owned and controlled arm’s length company Scottish Rail Holdings.
Roads
The Roads Directorate is responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of the Scottish trunk road network, roads policy, road safety, including oversight of progress towards national casualty reduction targets, Intelligent Transport Systems and lighting, resilience, winter maintenance and transport planning of major events, roads and bridges design standards and air quality and the environment including environmental assessment, change adaptation and asset management.
Transport Strategy and Analysis
This Directorate is responsible for strategic direction, supported by evidence and analysis, including oversight of the delivery of the National Transport Strategy and the transport sector's contribution to the Government's statutory targets, priorities and missions. This includes climate change policy, supporting the organisation public transport fares, integration and modal shift, reducing car use in Scotland, air connectivity, and decarbonising aviation. We provide the organisation with analytical services and support in transport infrastructure investment.