Local Authorities Updates

This section provides a small snapshot of work delivered by local authorities which contributes to the National Transport Strategy, as well as their own local and regional strategies.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

The tendering process for the pan-Ayrshire public electric vehicle charging concession contract is being finalised. This is a good example of partnership working across three local authorities (North, South and East Ayrshire) in partnership with the Scottish Futures Trust.

Perth and Kinross Council Community Transport Initiative

As of February 2026, Perth and Kinross Council has long-termed loaned three 8-seat multipurpose vehicles, free of charge, to rural community groups to deliver their own transport solutions. 

The Kirkmichael Community Transport Group, Muthill Community Transport Group and the Tay Valley Connections Community Group in Aberfeldy have now received these vehicles. The newly-formed Glendevon Community Transport group will be taking a fourth vehicle to commence their community transport delivery later in 2026.

The groups design their own decals for the vehicle, and the Council meet the cost of providing these, to raise awareness and promote the service when the vehicle is delivering transport in the community.

Perth and Kinross Council have an in-house minibus fleet based at all secondary schools for their use. There is an online booking system and organisations with the necessary permits and Midas trained drivers can book these minibuses when they are not being used by the schools. Historically these minibuses were sent to auction when they were due for replacement by the Council. However, in 2024, elected members agreed that rather than going to auction, the minibuses were to be MOT tested, serviced, supplied with an inspection report detailing the vehicle’s condition and offered free of charge to community groups and sports clubs on receipt of an application.

The partnership between Perth and Kinross Council and Glenfarg Community Transport Group (GCTG) continues to expand. They operate two local bus services and a school contract as well as their Community Transport day trips. GCTG took delivery of a new low floor, wheelchair accessible minibus on 28 May 2025 which the Council have initially purchased, due to issues with a Community Group securing that level of commercial borrowing. GCTG are purchasing the vehicle from the Council over a 58-month repayment agreement.

Perth and Kinross Council funded a Free Bus Travel offer for passengers travelling on all local bus services throughout Perth and Kinross on the first Saturday of each month through to March 2026. An additional free travel day was added for Clean Air Day on 19 June 2025, as well as a second additional free bus travel day on 20 December 2025.

Year two of Perth and Kinross Council’s Transport Transformation Project has commenced and an in-depth Public Transport Survey was issued in May 2025 and attracted 796 responses. Nine Roadshows were then delivered throughout the Council area to collect further public feedback and a Public Transport Focus group has now been established with the first in person meeting being held on the 11 March 2026 and the first online meeting held on the evening of the 19 March 2026.

Stirling Council: Bus Services Pilot

From 30 March 2026, Stirling Council will launch a two-year pilot of two new bus services to improve connections between rural communities in the western part of the council area.

The new in-house services will be called the C61 and the C62, building on the current C60 pilot (that runs between Callander and Killin) and will operate on the routes between Callander and Aberfoyle, and Croftamie and Kippen.

Both services will use all recognised bus stops along these routes and will link to existing public transport provision following feedback from recent public consultations in this area. Later journeys have been added to help accommodate young people attending after-school clubs and other activities.

The new services will replace existing demand responsive transport (DRT) services between these communities. Pending the success of the pilot, the new service will ultimately replace the current DRT service.

Fintry Community Council has worked closely with Stirling Council and other partners to support the development of the service and welcomes this important milestone.

Dumfries and Galloway Council: Bus Services

Dumfries and Galloway Council expanded their in-house bus operations further to the withdrawal of Stagecoach in August 2025. Dumfries and Galloway Council commenced operating an additional nine school bus services and eleven local bus services and increased the number of routes they operate by around 40%.

Orkney Council: Demand Responsive Transport

MOOVE Flexi Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) platform has continued to onboard new operators including West Coast Motors’ WestGo service and several Community Transport projects in Orkney. The Highland Council have started using MOOVE Flexi for some of their transport delivery services. The potential to support other Council areas elsewhere in Scotland in accessing the digital solution for existing and planned DRT services have also been discussed.

The Highland Council: Bus Services

The Highland Council have expanded their in-house local bus service operation from 10 buses to 25 buses in the last three years. The Council also took ownership of D&E Coaches in 2025.

Scottish Borders Council: Bus Services

Scottish Borders Council has transformed their local bus network by taking a strategic, data‑led and regionally coordinated approach. Using detailed analysis of travel demand and service performance, supported by strong community engagement, the Council has redesigned the network to better reflect how people travel while keeping services within a fixed subsidy.

The Council continues to increase its fleet with 34 vehicles in service. Bringing services in-house has enabled the Council to maintain connectivity across the region and introduce additional services to areas where connectivity is limited. The council is now the largest operator in the region by route count, with 21 service routes, after taking on a further two in Berwickshire and Northumberland. This is largely down to operators ceasing to operate or contract prices increasing significantly. It is anticipated that this will continue to grow in 2026.

Passenger benefits are already clear, with Council‑operated services growing from
around 2,000 to nearly 12,000 annual journeys. Core network patronage is up roughly 70% since 2019, and service frequencies have improved in Kelso, Galashiels, Peebles and Tweeddale, supported by ongoing performance monitoring.

These improvements have been delivered within the existing £1.3 million annual subsidy by combining in‑house operation, contract changes and more efficient network design, strengthening financial sustainability while maintaining regional coverage.

The Council has also invested in innovation and supporting infrastructure to improve reliability and the passenger experience, including demand responsive transport pilots informing new routes, real‑time information displays, tap‑and‑pay across Council‑operated services, and better integration with rail at Tweedbank and Galashiels.

Overall, the Scottish Borders experience demonstrates how regional transport authorities can stabilise and grow bus networks by combining data‑driven planning, selective in‑house delivery, partnership with commercial operators, and targeted investment, ensuring socially necessary services continue to support accessibility, inclusion and sustainable travel in predominantly rural regions.