The elevation of bus services starts with National government. The investment decisions between bus and other public transport modes positions 'Bus' as the Cinderella mode. Further, the direct subsidy to the bus user has reduced year on year for a decade. There are no metrics to gauge the health of the sector or how well local authorities are doing their job - the annual stats are not designed to do this and cannot do this. I would challenge the Cabinet Secretary to act upon her own words and she will find that the sector follows and supports her. Until then, the jury *quietly awaits. TO DO LIST 📝 - Average bus speed improvements year-on-year - Productivity gains year-on-year - Reallocation of road space in line with published hierarchy - Unity of messaging from government and politicians Make serious progress in these 4 things and bus services and bus use will grow whilst bus use becomes cheaper. You're welcome Cabinet Secretary
🏴🚍 Opening the Buses Magazine Public Transport Scotland conference in Edinburgh this morning is Fiona Hyslop MSP – the first Cabinet Secretary specifically dedicated to transport in the 25 year history of the Scottish Government. Local bus services have a uniquely central role to play in tacking social exclusion, stimulating economic growth and protecting the planet. She was upfront in acknowledging the "severe budget constraints" affecting the delivery of bus priority infrastructure, plus delaying the deployment of new powers to change how buses are operated. 💡 Key take away: the bus industry faces huge challenges, but has enormous potential and a vital job to do. "Yes, it's a journey, but if we can elevate the profile of bus services, we can do great things for Scotland together."