1. FOREWORD

Transport Scotland was created in 2006 with responsibility, on behalf of Scottish Ministers, for overseeing the operation and improvement of the trunk road and rail networks and for running the Scotland-wide Free Bus Scheme for older and disabled people and the concessionary travel scheme for young people.

Our second Corporate Plan 2008-2011 sets out our strategic direction for the next three years and how we will help deliver the Government’s Purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth. It focuses on the outcomes we will achieve and the impact we will make for the people and businesses of Scotland.

This Business Plan for 2008/09 sets out the specific tasks for the year ahead and what we aim to achieve. By the end of the year I look forward to delivering:

the Strategic Transport Projects Review
a procurement strategy for the Forth Replacement Crossing
the new Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail link
a double-track railway between Bathgate and Edinburgh, the first stage of the Airdrie-Bathgate project
reduced rail journey times from Edinburgh to Aberdeen
extra seats for Fife rail commuters
continued growth in rail passenger numbers
the start of construction on M74 and M80 motorway completions
the Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine and the Dalkeith Bypass
better analysis of the environmental impact of major transport projects
21% of energy on the trunk road network from renewable sources
2% efficiency gains amounting to over £30 million

These highlights, and the detail that follows, show that this will be another challenging year as we continue to deliver an efficient, cost effective and sustainable transport system in Scotland. We look forward to this challenge.

Malcolm Reed CBE
Chief Executive