transport
Comprehensive, affordable, and reliable transport options are a necessity for the essential running of the economy. Furthermore, we recognise that transport was the biggest single contributor to greenhouse gases in Scotland, comprising a third of emissions in 2022, with cars the biggest source of emissions within that. As such, an aggressive push towards green public transport over cars is needed to ensure a just transition.
Buses
Buses have been decimated over the last decades, with bus routes plummeting by 44% since 2006. This leaves many communities, particularly rural ones, almost wholly reliant on cars. Furthermore, bus journeys are often massively overpriced, particularly in Glasgow, which, despite having a lower average household income than Edinburgh, has substantially higher fares.
As such, locally controlled, publicly owned buses across the country are necessary to lower prices and build a reliable, integrated transport network. Local authorities have the powers, and with support from the Scottish Government, the financial means, to take control of their bus services for the public good. For evidence of the success of publicly owned buses, one need only look at Scotland’s only municipal bus company, Lothian Buses, which was recognised as Britain’s top bus operator in 2024. This model serves as an example of what a fully publicly-owned bus system could deliver.
The Scottish Government should also institute a price cap on single journeys of £2 across the country. This cap would encourage bus travel, particularly benefiting young people, preventing them from facing massive increases in travel costs once they are no longer eligible for free bus travel after turning 22. Furthermore, free bus travel should be extended, with the overall goal of free bus transport for all.
Railways
We celebrate the nationalisation of Scotrail and the UK Government’s actions to bring about a fully publicly-owned railway network across Britain. However, despite the Scottish Government having control over our railways, it has still allowed fares to grow beyond affordable levels. Indeed, though the abolition of peak rail fares is another great victory, Scotrail fares still increased by 4% in April.
As such, the Scottish Government should take action to reduce fares across the board, and work to integrate different modes of transport such as railways, buses and trams. This will allow for the development of integrated ticketing schemes, akin to the world-renowned transport systems of London and Manchester.
Furthermore, we note the absurdity of the lack of a dedicated railway to Glasgow Airport. Any Scottish Government should prioritise access to air travel, and the Government should immediately begin construction on a direct line to Glasgow Airport.