Influencing Policy

Throughout 2025–2026, MACS continued to provide expert advice and lived experience insight across a wide range of national policies, consultations, and legislative developments. By engaging directly with Ministers, civil servants, industry stakeholders, and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), we ensured that accessibility and inclusion remained central to transport policy decisions.

National Cross-cutting Policy and Strategy

MACS played an active role in shaping national policy across multiple portfolios, reinforcing the importance of transport as an enabler of rights and inclusion:

  • Strengthening the evidence base for policy: MACS drew on the recently published Disability and Transport report to highlight declining satisfaction, safety concerns, and reduced travel among disabled people. This evidence was used to inform engagement with Transport Scotland and underpin policy recommendations.
  • Responding to consultations and legislative developments: MACS contributed to a wide range of national and UK Government consultations, including the Scottish Government’s Draft Climate Change Plan (2026–2040), the Scottish Bus Open Data consultation, the Department for Transport’s consultation on Reviewing the Law for Powered Mobility Devices, and the Call for Evidence on Developing the Automated Vehicles Regulatory Framework. Across these, as well as responses to the Long-Term Conditions Consultation and Just Transition Draft Plan, MACS consistently highlighted risks of digital exclusion, the importance of accessible and accurate passenger information, and the need for inclusive design in both emerging technologies and data-driven services. The Committee emphasised that accessibility must be embedded from the outset in policy development, particularly in relation to open data, new mobility technologies, and future regulatory frameworks.
  • Influencing major policy frameworks: MACS engaged in the development of the Accessible Travel Framework Successor, advocating for early and meaningful involvement of lived experience. The Committee also contributed to discussions on the Public Service Reform Strategy, raising concerns around the impact of digitalisation on accessibility.
  • Embedding accessibility across sectors: Through engagement with public health, planning, and sustainability networks, MACS reinforced the links between transport, health inequalities, and inclusive economic growth, particularly in relation to active travel and place-based interventions.

Ministerial Engagement and Strategic Influence

MACS maintained strong relationships with Ministers, senior officials, and national stakeholders to influence decision-making at the highest level:

  • Regularly engaged with Transport Scotland’s senior leadership, including biannual meetings with the CEO and Director General for Net Zero.
  • Wrote to Ministers and engaged directly on key issues, including the Motability scheme’s value for money and recommendations for the Accessible Travel Framework Successor.
  • Continued dialogue with Motability Foundation and Operations, contributing to the development of a new Transport Equity focus group to ensure reinvestment decisions reflect disabled people’s priorities.
  • Supported wider system change by engaging with organisations such as DriveAbility and Policy Connect, promoting joined-up approaches to transport, health, and social policy.

Lived Experience and Engagement

A key focus this year has been strengthening engagement with disabled people and their representative organisations to inform policy:

  • Building relationships with DPOs: MACS initiated structured engagement with a range of organisations including People First, Carers Scotland, Cornerstone, and The Assembly. These discussions provided valuable insight into barriers such as inaccessible consultation processes, digital exclusion, and the complexity of concessionary travel systems.
  • Embedding lived experience in policy: Insights gathered highlighted persistent issues including inconsistent concessionary schemes, inaccessible journey planning tools, and challenges accessing healthcare due to transport barriers.
  • Championing meaningful engagement: MACS advocated for improved consultation practices, including longer timescales, accessible formats, and better resourcing to enable participation from people with learning disabilities and other seldom-heard groups.

This work has strengthened MACS’ ability to provide informed, evidence-based advice rooted in lived experience.

Transport Services, Operations and Reform

MACS provided targeted advice across transport modes, influencing both national programmes and service-level improvements:

  • Rail Reform and Accessibility:
    • Responded to the Great British Railways consultation, successfully influencing the inclusion of accessibility considerations within new governance structures.
    • Contributed to the UK Government’s Rail Accessibility Roadmap and ongoing work on Passenger Assist, including monitoring and compensation processes.
    • Supported increased investment in the station accessibility programme.
  • Ferries and Aviation:
    • Provided detailed feedback on vessel design, accessibility standards, and new procurement processes, including Northern Isles vessel plans and the NIFS4 contract.
    • Advised on sensory space provision and accessibility improvements across the CalMac fleet.
    • Continued to raise concerns about accessibility on lifeline air routes, emphasising the need for step-free access and robust impact assessments.
  • Infrastructure and Active Travel:
    • Contributed to national guidance on Inclusive Design for Town Centres and Busy Streets, reinforcing the need for accessible environments.
    • Participated in a Transport Scotland working group to inform updates to Cycling by Design, ensuring that active travel infrastructure takes account of the needs of disabled people, both in using and interacting with it. MACS highlighted concerns about “floating bus stops”, noting the dangers created where passengers must cross live cycle lanes to board or alight from buses. We have expressed our opposition to any form of floating bus stop due to the significant and severe risks they pose to disabled people. While supporting the expansion of active travel, MACS also worked with officials to identify safer, more inclusive design solutions, including improved engagement with end users.
    • Worked with Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) to review and improve Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) guidance for local authorities, which contributed to the development of a practical tool to support more robust and accessible active travel planning under the Equality Act 2010.
    • Continued engagement with the Scottish Road Works Commissioner and Roads for All Forum, contributing to ongoing updates to Roads for All Guidance and supporting improved practice to reduce barriers across the transport network.

Cross-Government and Parliamentary Engagement

MACS continued to engage across the parliamentary landscape, ensuring accessibility was reflected in wider policy discussions:

  • Participated in Cross-Party Groups (CPGs), including Disability, Poverty, Sustainable Transport, and Rural Policy, highlighting the links between transport, inequality, and human rights.
  • Contributed to discussions on poverty and disability, reinforcing the role of accessible transport in reducing exclusion and enabling participation in society.
  • Engaged with UK-level inquiries and reports, including the Transport Committee’s Access Denied report, aligning Scottish insights with wider system challenges.

Digital and Communication Influence

MACS expanded its influence through improved communication and engagement:

  • Strengthened its digital presence across LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and BlueSky to share policy insights, promote consultations, and amplify lived experience.
  • Used social media strategically to build relationships with stakeholders, increase visibility, and reinforce MACS’ role as a trusted authority in accessible transport.
  • Continued to promote inclusive communication practices and highlight gaps in digital accessibility across transport services and government engagement.

Overall, our influencing work this year has demonstrated the importance of integrating lived experience into policy development, strengthening cross-sector collaboration, and ensuring accessibility is embedded across all aspects of transport planning and delivery.