How many transport ministers does it take to conduct a fair fares review? Four so far
Scottish Liberal Democrats have today criticised the Scottish Government after it emerged that the government’s review of public transport fares will not be completed until the end of 2023.
The fair fares review was announced in the Bute House Agreement at the end of August 2021. Since then there have been four transport secretaries (Graeme Dey, Jenny Gilruth, Kevin Stewart and Fiona Hyslop).
Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out a series of key priorities for the new Transport Minister:
• Establish a reliable ferry service for island communities across Scotland.
• Open up bookings on the Serco NorthLink ferry, which serves the Northern Isles, for dates beyond 7th January 2024, and avoid future cut-off dates by establishing a rolling booking system open a year in advance.
• Explore new rail lines, particularly in areas where public transport links are poor.
• Cut train fares and introduce new options for two/three day a week season tickets.
• Extend under-22s bus pass to inter-island ferries.
• Powerful regional transport partnerships to take control of bus services, following the Transport for London model;
• A Scotland wide smart card system for all forms of transport.
Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart said:
“If we want to convince people to rely on public transport, we need a system that is cheap, effective and well joined up.
“Since the fare fair reviews was announced there have been four transport ministers, two rail fare hikes by government-owned ScotRail and bus companies have hiked their fares as much as 15%.
“How many transport ministers does it take to conduct a review of fares?
“There’s a whole host of issues awaiting action including lifeline ferry services which should be designed and operated to meet the needs of those who rely on them. Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out a series of proposals to help those travelling by rail, bus and ferry but ministers keep on coming up with reasons to kick the can down the road.”