Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 August 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to make it easier for people to travel by public transport in Scotland.
Making public transport easier for people to use is crucial in driving forward a greener, fairer Scotland, enhancing equality, growing the economy, and supporting communities.
With this in mind, I am pleased to announce the publication today of the Scottish Government’s updated strategy on smart, digital, integrated ticketing and payments. https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/smart-digital-integrated-ticketing-and-payments-delivery-strategy-2024/
This strategy builds on the enhancements progressed since its first iteration published in 2018, such as enabling universal smartcards to be used across operators, supporting the provision of contactless payment to be available on 98% of buses in Scotland, and delivering smart concessionary travel for young people and on our ferry services to Orkney and Shetland. Technological advancements since 2018 have opened a vast array of new opportunities to rethink and evolve how we can continue to encourage use of sustainable public transport, and address the change in travel patterns and public expectations witnessed in the years following the pandemic.
It complements the delivery of my wider transport priorities and provides a refreshed vision, To increase the use of sustainable public transport by providing smart and integrated ticketing, payment, and journey planning data enhancements, contributing to a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland.
The strategy also aligns with the new National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board three year Work Programme, which is being published today as well, outlining the advice that will be provided to Ministers on the future of smart ticketing in Scotland. All of these actions seek to support the improved accessibility, availability and affordability of public transport.