Trains and ferries too need to be more affordable and accessible.
By Lucy Ashton
Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Daniel O’Malley has today called on the SNP-Green Government to make public transport more affordable and accessible, after new figures revealed that there has been a 10% drop in the number of people satisfied with public transport since 2019.
The Scottish Government’s Transport and Travel in Scotland Report found that just 58% of people were very or fairly satisfied with public transport in 2022, down from 68% in 2019.
According to the report, satisfaction with public transport was lowest in rural areas. Only 40% of those in remote and rural areas and 42% of those in accessible rural areas said they were satisfied with public transport. This contrasts with a satisfaction rate of 68% in large urban areas.
Mr O’Malley said: “These findings are a sad reflection of SNP and Green neglect. The fact we’ve had four transport ministers and three rail fare hikes shows how connectivity and good services have taken a back seat.
“If we want to convince people to rely on public transport, we need a system that is affordable, reliable and joined up.
“That’s why Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out extensive plans to help all those travelling by rail, bus and ferry. We want to see fares cut, new two/three day a week season tickets on trains, reliable ferries and communities put in charge of when and where buses go.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat would:
- Cut rail fares and introduce new options for two/three day a week season tickets.
- Explore new rail lines, especially in areas where public transport links are poor.
- Introduce powerful regional transport partnerships to take control of bus services, following the Transport for London model.
- Introduce a Scotland wide smart card system for all forms of transport.
- Establish a reliable ferry service for island communities across Scotland.
- Extend the under-22s bus pass to inter-island ferries.
- Avoid future cut-off dates on Serco NorthLink ferries by establishing a rolling booking system that is open for a year in advance.