OLD PEOPLE'S CONSULTATIVE FORUM
NATIONAL TRANSPORT STRATEGY
Background
The National Transport Strategy (NTS) was published in December 2006. The NTS was the product of consensus achieved as the result of wide consultation with key stakeholder interests across business, transport and wider interests, including the general public. The NTS provides an overarching strategy for transport which provides a structure within which questions of investment, priorities and policies can be judged.
The NTS introduced three key strategic outcomes which respond directly to the Scottish Government's 5 key strategic objectives:
· Improve journey times and connections, to tackle congestion and the lack of integration and connections in transport - wealthier and fairer, smarter.
· Reduce emissions, to tackle the issues of climate change, air quality and health improvement - healthier, greener.
· Improve quality, accessibility and affordability, to give people a choice of public transport, where availability means better quality transport services and value for money or an alternative to the car - safer and stronger.
Delivery Plan
This Scottish Government supports the underpinning principles of the NTS and we are developing a Delivery Plan to provide the opportunity for us to clarify which NTS policies and commitments we wish to encourage. This plan will also allow us to integrate a number of transport manifesto commitments - resulting in a comprehensive Delivery Plan of Scottish transport priorities, policies and initiatives.
The National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan will set out the actions we will take, within the context of the national performance framework, to support the purpose of this Government, deliver the national outcomes and realise the NTS strategic outcomes.
Concessionary Travel Scheme
The Scotland-wide free bus scheme for older and disabled people was introduced in April 2006. The scheme has been a major success. There are around 1.1 million National Entitlement Cardholders. A review of the scheme will be undertaken later this year. The review will consider possible changes to the scheme. Naturally, the financial implications of possible changes will need to be taken into account.
Demand Responsive Transport
The transfer of the new Enhanced Demand Responsive Transport budget to local authorities is part of the agreement between the Scottish Government and CoSLA and will give local government record levels of funding to invest in local priorities.
The Scottish Government very much hope that local authorities right across Scotland will wish to build on the success of previous schemes such as the Rural Transport Fund and the current Demand Responsive Transport Initiative, using the resources made available to them.
Reduced ring fencing presents a unique opportunity. It gives an opportunity for local authorities to use their new freedom to invest in the transport projects demanded and expected by the communities they represent.
More funding than ever before, reduced ring fencing, greater power for local authorities to invest in local needs, and new outcome agreements aligned with national priorities, presents an opportunity to enhance, not diminish, the delivery of local community and demand responsive transport initiatives.
Transport Strategyand Policy
April 2008