The Scottish Association for Public Transport campaigns for
- An efficient world-class transport system for Scotland.
- Sustainable public transport for rural and urban communities
- City streets free from road traffic pollution and congestion
- Co-ordinated train, bus and ferry services
- High Speed Rail for Scottish InterCity and Anglo-Scottish routes
It was formed in 1962 to campaign against the Beeching rail closures. Over the years its campaigning has contributed to a more positive attitude to public transport, with rail re-openings to Alloa, Larkhall, Airdrie-Bathgate, and, in September 2015, the Borders Rail Link to Galashiels and Tweedbank.
Some important towns are still without rail services. Leven/Methil and Grangemouth have no passenger train services but are on the rail network. SAPT supports extension of train services and new stations at Grangemouth and Levenmouth, and re-instatement of a railway line to St.Andrews.
SAPT also campaigns for transport integration. Local bus timetables should be co-ordinated with trains and ferries to enable seamless journeys by public transport between Scottish villages, towns and cities.
There is a need for better urban transport for Scotland’s cities. SAPT advocates development of metropolitan transport networks with improved rail, bus, tram and underground services with interchange between routes and through tickets and smartcards valid on all transport modes. This may need legislation to amend the current deregulated bus framework. SAPT is making the case for this with transport authorities and the Scottish Government.
High Speed InterCity trains are the answer to trunk road congestion and delays on Scottish InterCity routes. An Anglo-Scottish High Speed Rail Line will solve congestion on the West and East Coast Main Lines and will also reduce Anglo-Scottish flights and CO2 emissions from aviation. SAPT is playing an important role in analysing the options for extension of HS2 to Scotland.