Stagecoach entrepreneur Brian Souter insisted yesterday that public and private collaboration was needed to improve Scotland's transport.

Stagecoach entrepreneur Brian Souter insisted yesterday that public and private collaboration was needed to improve Scotland's transport.

Mr Souter, whose plan for a hovercraft service for the Firth of Forth has been mothballed after concerns over government funding, made the call at a conference held by the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (Sestran) and Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

The Perth-based businessman said the future success of public transport is encapsulated in the four Ps: park-and-rides, parking (in cities); prioritising (services for passengers); and planning (large developments).

He cited the success of Edinburgh's park-and-rides, saying such facilities should become integrated transport hubs sited at major roads and used as base for shopping at adjacent retail parks as well as travelling into city centres.

On-street parking should also be key to transport plans, and passengers should be a priority when examining routes, he insisted.

He also said that local authorities and government should involving transport companies in new projects such as building hospitals.