SAPTs annual Inverness meeting on 2nd November 2023 was well attended by a mix of public transport professionals, enthusiasts and users, some who also use active travel. Neil Wallace, SAPT Committee member representing the Highlands, gave first hand examples of passenger experiences. Audio and visual ‘Next Stop’ displays were becoming available on new buses as…
A new report produced by the Scottish Inter-City Rail Taskforce (led by former cabinet minister Alex Neil and including our chairman, Dr John McCormick) claims that delays to HS2 are undermining work to hit carbon emission targets in Scotland and that action is needed to improve cross-border rail journey times for passengers between London and…
A.K. Bell Library, 2 York Place, Perth PH2 8EP A Transport Seminar is being hosted by the Scottish Association for Public Transport at 10.30 on Friday 16th June 2023. This is a free event open to all those with an interest in public transport. Coffee/tea will be available from 10.00. The seminar is due to end at 12.40, followed…
The Scottish Government is issuing a series of papers comparing economic and social indicators in the UK with performance in ten small European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. Public transport performance is also a topic that needs attention. Scotland’s trains and buses are facing severe problems of…
In our 2121 Zoom AGM, our Vice-chairman and Strategy Officer (and retired engineering professor), David Murray-Smith, gave a presentation on the work he has done on decarbonising public transport since our 2019 AGM in Perth (see previous presentation). David has also written (in collaboration with Peter Fisher of Arcola Energy) a further report outlining developments:…
Bus and rail usage are not expected to recover fully to pre-covid levels in the foreseeable future. The commercial basis for rail franchising and bus operations is no longer viable. The future of rail franchising is awaiting publication of the UK Williams Review. ScotRail is a self-contained network so unification of train operations and infrastructure…
Guest Speaker: Bill Reeve, Rail Director, Transport Scotland Rail Recovery Prospects Decarbonisation Strategy Implications of government ownership of ScotRail Public Transport Integration Prospects The committee has decided to hold the AGM virtually over Zoom, as there is still a degree of anxiety about travel and social distancing. Full details will be provided on our website…
Transport is a major contributor to greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions worldwide and efforts to reduce these are important for all forms of public transport. Moving from oil to low-carbon energy for transport raises important issues in terms of electrical power generation and distribution systems. At our 2019 AGM in Perth, our Vice-chairman and…
The current slump in bus and train usage due to covid-19 raises the question of how public transport can recover once continuing medical advances diminish the coronavirus health risks. Transport Scotland figures show rail use at only 30% of previous levels, with 60% of bus users having returned. More home working and online shopping are…
