Performance overview

Purpose and activities

Formed on 1 January 2006, Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland and forms part of the Scottish Government.

Transport underpins how Scotland works and performs, and through the development of our transport projects and policies, we support our businesses, communities, and services, connecting people across Scotland and beyond. Our purpose is to deliver the Scottish Government’s vision for transport which is set out in the National Transport Strategy 2.

Reduces inequalities

• Will provide fair access to services we need
• Will be easy to use for all
• Will be affordable for all

Helps deliver inclusive economic growth

• Will get people and goods where they need to get to
• Will be reliable, efficient and high quality
• Will use beneficial innovation

Take climate action

• Will help deliver our net zero target
• Will adapt to the effects of climate change
• Will promote greener, cleaner choices

Improves our health and wellbeing

• Will be safe and secure for all
• Will enable us to make healthy travel choices
• Will help make our communities great places to live

What we are responsible for:

• Developing and delivering policies that are consistent with the National Transport Strategy
• Promoting active and sustainable travel and reducing car dependency
• Work to transition the transport sector to a decarbonised future
• Supporting the key movement of goods and people
• Improving travel experiences for all users
• Overseeing the delivery of a safe and reliable rail service for passengers
• Managing the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles Ferry Service Contract and investment for vessel replacement and associated port and harbour infrastructure
• Supporting our sponsor bodies in their duties
• Operating, maintaining, and improving Scotland’s motorway and trunk road as well as bridge network
• Administering subsidy, concessionary travel programmes and grants for bus services
• Working with airports and airlines on sustainable aviation
• Connecting rural Scotland and growing international connectivity
• Collating and publishing Transport statistics, research, and data
• Working with the UK Government’s Department for Transport to better understand the potential impact of policies in reserved areas or changes in UK legislation

Organisational structure:

The Chief Executive is the Accountable Officer for the agency, appointed by the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government and reporting to the Portfolio Accountable Officer, currently Director-General Net Zero. They are supported by a senior management team comprising nine Directors.

Each Director oversees one or more transport modes and/or policy areas and is supported by a range of teams covering all aspects of business delivery within their respective directorates. We also support Scottish Ministers in prioritising future transport policy, strategy and investments and the delivery of a low carbon economy.

There are nine Transport Scotland directorates as shown below.

Aviation, Maritime, Freight & Canals

Promotes Scotland’s international connectivity and transport links to our remote and island communities, and responsible for:

• project delivery, operational performance, and policy development
• aviation route development and lifeline services
• maritime interest including ports, harbours, and freight
• looking after Scottish Ministers’ interests in, David MacBrayne Limited, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, and Scottish Canals.

Bus, Accessibility & Active Travel

Responsible for the Scottish Government’s policy relating to bus, active travel, smart and integrated ticketing, and accessible travel, including:

• enabling local authorities, operators, and delivery partners to improve sustainable, accessible local transport options and get the travelling public back on the buses
• promoting walking, cycling, and wheeling
• operating the concessionary bus travel scheme for disabled, older, and young people
• working with operators to ensure all journeys on Scotland’s bus, rail, ferry, subway, and tram networks can be ticketed or paid for using smart technologies.

Ferries

Promoting connectivity of our islands and remote communities through contract management, vessel and infrastructure replacement and the Islands Connectivity Plan and responsible for:

• management and future development of Clyde and Hebrides (CHFS) and Northern Isles (NIFS) ferry contracts
• operational policy development, including fares, timetabling, accessibility
• strategic policy development, including island connectivity, climate change response and links with population and economic growth
• broad range of active stakeholders for island communities, SMEs/industries (food/drink, tourism, etc.), local authorities, essential services
• impacts across wider Ministerial portfolios (Islands, Energy, Food & Drink, Environment, Climate Change etc.)
• local authority Ferries administration of Scottish Government funding, task forces and engagement.

Finance & Corporate Services

Supports the operation and governance of Transport Scotland, including:

• providing staff across the organisation with dedicated HR and Learning and Development, ICT, facilities management and health and safety services
• helping the organisation to run smoothly through advice, support and challenge on information governance, business planning and risk management, as well as coordinating corporate correspondence
• aiding Transport Scotland messaging both internally and externally through corporate, digital and media communications
• providing technical and management accounting support to policy areas to drive best practice, compliance, and value for money
• overseeing the financial accounting and reporting function of the organisation, as well as providing an accounts payable service
• providing a strategic advice and coordination function to the Cabinet Secretary on Portfolio Finance
• ensuring the smooth running of the organisation’s Risk, Health & Safety and Audit & Risk Committees.

Low Carbon Economy

Responsible for working with partners and stakeholders to create the conditions for Scotland to lead in and benefit from the shift to zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure, including:

• leading on the delivery of the Scottish Government’s road transport Climate Change targets
• driving the transition to zero-emission vehicles for consumers and fleets through legislation, regulation, research, advice, engagement, and support
• delivering Scotland’s Vision for public electric vehicle (EV) charging, working with local authorities and the private sector to leverage private investment to continue to grow public EV charging in Scotland at pace and scale
• exploring long-term grid implications of electrification of transport
• collaborating with partners on economic and workforce strategy within the Transport Just Transition Plan.

Major Projects

Responsible for design, development, procurement, and construction of major trunk road improvement projects across Scotland. Other responsibilities include:

• delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, such as road upgrades, expansions, and bridge constructions
• co-ordinating with various stakeholders, including government agencies, local authorities, private contractors, and design consultants, to ensure project alignment and successful implementation
• conducting feasibility studies, risk assessments and environmental impact assessments to inform project decision making
• leading and advising on procurement and contract management matters for Transport Scotland
• contributing to our ambition to become a Centre of Excellence for the delivery of major projects.

Rail

Responsible for Scotland’s rail policy and delivery, including:

• sponsoring and overseeing the management of the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper rail services
• developing rail policy and strategic planning, including aligning it with wider social and economic policy
• delivering major projects alongside industry partners
• promoting and investing in the development of sustainable rail freight
• overseeing the economic regulation of the railways, and monitoring and advising on the affordability of the rail programme.

Roads

Responsible for the safe, efficient, and sustainable operation and maintenance of the Scottish Trunk Roads including:

• asset management and technical standards
• procurement, contracts, and commercial management
• roads policy
• road safety casualty reduction
• Intelligent Transport Systems
• transport resilience, winter service, incident response and planning for major events
• roads and bridges design standards
• air quality, environmental protection, sustainability, landscape, biodiversity, and climate change adaptation.

Transport Strategy & Analysis

Responsible for transport strategy and integration, transport futures, transport analysis and strategic transport planning, including:

• oversight of the delivery of the National Transport Strategy and the transport sector’s contribution to the Government’s statutory targets, priorities, and missions (this includes climate change policy and transport’s contribution to the Scottish Government Climate Change plan including a just transition for Transport)
• supporting the organisation with analytical research, statistics, transport appraisal, economics, modelling, and evaluation
• the future of transport including public transport fares, integration, and modal shift
• the route map to reducing car distance travelled in Scotland and establishing a demand management framework
• advice and support on transport infrastructure investment, including application of Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance and business case development
• portfolio management for Transport at Cabinet, including performance reporting and coordination
• strategic relationships with UK and other devolved administrations, EU alignment and relevant legislation
• transport governance, including strategic relationship with Regional Transport Partnerships, sponsorship of the Scottish Roadworks Commissioner and Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland, also oversight of European Regional Development Funding for low carbon transport.