Scottish Government prepares its Transport Transition Plan

 

Scotland's transport secretary Michael Matheson has announced he will shortly set out a Transport Transition Plan to 'support Scotland's people and businesses with the 'new normal'.

The plan will set out what steps public transport operators must take to make buses, trains and ferries as safe as possible.

It will also set out how the Scottish government will engage with local authorities, regional transport partnerships and operators to operationalise this across Scotland.

And guidance will be issued to the public and business on how and when to use public transport, reinforcing the importance of continued working from home, staying local and walking and cycling.

The update comes after Mr Matheson held meetings with representatives from across the transport sector including bus, rail, aviation and ferries, to discuss how operators can begin to bounce back from the impact of the outbreak.

In tandem with the Scottish Government planning process, transport is planning ahead for upcoming challenges once the lockdown is lifted.

Addressing the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee today, Mr Matheson said: 'Since March 23 the clear message for the public that they should “Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives”, demand for public transport has fallen by somewhere between 85 and 90 per cent against ‘normal’.

'Now, looking forward to the transition to a new-normal for transport, there are a range of issues under consideration.

'The level of physical distancing required will obviously affect the supply of public transport. Operators estimate that the two metre rule could mean capacity is anywhere between 10 and 25 per cent of ‘normal’.

'As Government considers how and when to ease lockdown measures it is obvious that careful management of demand on the transport system will be necessary.'

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