Performance summary

NTS Priority 1: Promote equality

To promote equality, we have:

• continued to provide concessionary bus travel schemes for older and disabled people and young persons (under-22s) in Scotland
• held ticket prices on the Northern Isles and Clyde & Hebrides ferry networks throughout the year, to help people and businesses from Scotland’s remote rural and island communities
• introduced the Scotrail Peak Fares Removal Pilot. It was initially scheduled to run for six months between October 2023 and March 2024 and was extended twice, first for three months to June 2024 and then to September 2024.

NTS Priority 2: Takes climate action

To take climate action, we have:

• launched the second round of the Scottish Zero-Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB2) to support change in the bus market in favour of zero-emission technologies, while supporting the work of the Zero-Emission Truck Taskforce to publish an HGV Decarbonisation Pathway for Scotland
• introduced the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes Order 2023, setting new targets for the sales of zero-emission cars and vans in Scotland
• progressed our rolling programme of railway electrification, including the East Kilbride Enhancement Project and Barrhead route electrification and station improvement works
• published our discussion paper to support engagement on a just transition for the transport sector
• launched the Active Travel Transformation Fund to provide funding directly to Local Authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships and National Park Authorities to deliver ambitious, construction-ready active travel infrastructure schemes across Scotland published our Vision for Scotland’s public electric vehicle charging network, setting out what an ideal public charging offer for cars and vans would look like across Scotland; together with private sector provision, our public charging network is the most comprehensive per head in the UK outside of London
• published the Approach to Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience which outlines the key climate risks affecting Scotland’s transport system.

NTS Priority 3: Helps deliver inclusive economic growth

To help deliver inclusive economic growth, we have:

• opened East Linton station in December 2023 and progressed work on the Levenmouth rail project, which entered service in June 2024
• invested over £450 million to date on the A9 dualling project between Inverness and Perth, improving journey times and safety on the route
• provided funding to procure four new major vessels for Islay and the Little Minch routes, which are on track for delivery in 2024 and 2025
• established new air services from Scotland to destinations such as Atlanta and Calgary
• supported delivery of the Cycling World Championships in August 2023, helping to ensure the events across the country ran smoothly for participants and visitors while keeping our transport network moving.

NTS Priority 4: Improves our health and wellbeing

To improve our health and wellbeing, we have:

• supported local authorities to look at different ways of delivering bus services in their areas through the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019
• continued the roll-out of 20 miles per hour speed limits in built up areas
• introduced Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in our four largest cities, with Glasgow enforcement commencing in June 2023, as well as offering the LEZ Support Fund for 2023-24 which provides cash incentives and Travel Better credits if non-compliant vehicles are removed from Scotland’s roads
• invested in active travel behaviour change programmes aimed at encouraging, empowering, and inspiring children and young people across Scotland to develop sustainable travel habits from an early age.

Corporate Priority: To put our people at the heart of our delivery

To put our people at the heart of our delivery, we have:

• continued to review the size and shape of Transport Scotland to best address both current and future challenges. This work will continue through 2024-25 and will consider how we work together to deliver our business objectives
• explored options for the best physical working environment for our people while making the most efficient use of our estate space
• supported preparations for the move of TS HR and Finance data to Oracle Cloud to create a joined-up service, with improved data and insight
• developed a Wellbeing Strategy & Action Plan that will ensure targeted action continues in support of our drive to improve the health and wellbeing of colleagues.