The Transport (Scotland) Bill had an airing in the Scottish Parliament last Thursday through its Stage One debate and it is fair to say that reviews were mixed. Conservative MSP Jamie Greene suggested the bill was hardly ground-breaking. Labour’s Colin Smyth call it “timid” while Green MSP John Finnie feels the Bill is “piecemeal”.
However, among the disparaging summaries, more constructively, the debate made the case for the next stage of the Bill process to take a wider look at key transport issues and consider more holistic solutions. This is good news for Scotland’s environment.
In terms of the Bill’s proposed Low Emission Zones, there appears to be an acceptance from all parties that the
introduction of a zone is not a cure-all in and of itself.
Michael Matheson, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, acknowledged the need for a wider strategic perspective that considers how low emission zones impact upon congestion, active travel, place-making and the uptake of low emission vehicles. In terms of what that means for public transport, Mr Matheson
stated: “When it comes to improving air quality, buses are part of the solution, and measures to incentivise bus services should be an intrinsic part of the wider proposals around modal shift in LEZ areas and beyond.”
The need for a holistic approach built around sustainable and active transport was echoed by Edward Mountain MSP, Convenor of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee “The committee is of the view that the effective introduction of low-emission zones will require steps to be taken in advance to provide improvements in public transport and to put in place measures such as park-and-ride facilities and improved active travel opportunities.”
A consensus seems to be emerging that bus services require prioritisation rather than demonisation. Of course, if the government is committed to prioritising sustainable and active transport, the Transport (Scotland) Bill has to foster an environment where public transport is a viable and attractive alternative to the car.
To accomplish this requires addressing the issue of falling bus patronage.
Bus patronage has been declining since the 1960s. Recent research suggests that the decline is attributable to factors including the cheap cost of car ownership and use, increasing congestion, and societal changes such as shifting work patterns and the rise on online shopping.
Mr Matheson acknowledged this as he closed the Bill debate, stating: “There is a range of issues that impact on bus
patronage. The idea that there is a simple one-off, off-the-shelf solution that will address all the issues is wrong, because of the complexity of the issues.”
However, the Transport Bill, as currently drafted, only offers one lever for local authorities to pull – regulation.
Do they wish to run bus services directly, design the bus network and have bus companies submit tenders to operate it, or do they work in partnership with bus operators to deliver a better bus network together. None of these options explicitly hold national or local government to bus infrastructure improvements or set targets for improving journey times.
The Bill’s good intentions are hampered by its inability to consider the wider picture. Changing the engine standards of the bus fleet is not the sole action required to improve urban air quality. Changing the ownership model of the bus sector will not directly improve bus services.
Stage Two of the Bill process allows for further scrutiny of the Transport Bill’s content. CPT will propose a series for
amendments advocating for the Bill to look at the bigger picture and prioritise public transport. Practical measures that benefit passengers, encourage modal shift and improve air quality are required.
The Herald’s Climate for Change initiative supports efforts being made by the Scottish Government with key organisations and campaign partners. Throughout the year we will provide a forum in The Herald newspaper, online at herald.scotland.com and in Business HQ magazine, covering news and significant developments in this increasingly crucial area.
If you are interested in contributing editorially or interested in becoming a Climate for Change partner, please contact Stephen McTaggart on 0141 302 6137 or email stephen.mctaggart@heraldandtimes.co.uk
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