What we do

As an executive agency of the Scottish Government, and Scotland’s national transport agency, we focus our activities on delivering, through our National Transport Strategy (NTS2), the transport-focused National Outcomes within the National Performance Framework (NPF) and the Programme for Government (PfG). We are focused on the priorities underpinning our vision for Scotland – to deliver a transport system that reflects Scottish Minsters’ NTS priorities of reducing inequality, tackling climate change, delivering inclusive economic growth, and improving our health and wellbeing, while delivering on our commitment of managing a just transition to net zero by 2045.

Our contribution to The National Performance Framework

Our organisational focus continues to be on how we will support, through our National Transport Strategy (NTS2), the transport-focused national outcomes within the National Performance Framework (NPF) and the Programme for Government (PfG). Our five organisational priorities have been developed to focus our work to wards them and are supported by a suite of supporting targets and outcomes which we have reported in this report.

The PfG is steered by the longer-term vision in the NPF, and its aim is to set out the actions required to deliver the outcomes within the NPF.

Our NTS has been mapped against the National Outcomes within the NPF, contributing to nine of these, as well as all seventeen of the Key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Infographic shows a pyramid with 4 levels. The top level contains the text Scottish Government Purpose; the second level contains National Performance Framework & Programme for Government; the third level contains the text Transport Scotland Purpose and Priorities; the fourth level contains the text Reduces inequalities, Takes climate actions, Helps deliver inclusive economic growth and Improves our health and wellbeing.

Our national transport strategy

In our NTS, we have set out an ambitious and compelling vision for our transport system for the next twenty years. It seeks to protect our climate and improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

The NTS commits to collaborative working with wider partners in shaping our future transport system. Continued close partnership and collaboration with partners will be vital to successfully realising the strategy’s vision, priorities, and outcomes.

NTS2 has four priorities, each with three associated outcomes. It sets out a high-level framework to inform transport decision making. These priorities and outcomes, outlined below in the Performance Summary, form the heart of the Strategy and are the basis upon which we take decisions and evaluate the success of Scotland’s transport policies going forward.

In December 2023 we delivered our first National Transport Strategy: Report to Parliament which provides an overview of the continued commitment to the Strategy and, as detailed in the publication of our annual Delivery Plans, the actions being taken by the Scottish Government to deliver the vision and priorities for transport.

The National Outcomes will help us to achieve Our Purpose:

To focus on creating a more successful country with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through increased wellbeing and sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

National Transport Strategy – Contribution Story

We will have a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system helping deliver healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors.

Reduces Inequality

  • We will provide fair access to the services we need.
  • Will be easy to use for all.
  • Will be affordable for all.

Takes Climate Action

  • Helps deliver our net zero target.
  • Adapts to the effects of climate change.
  • Promotes greener, cleaner choices.

Helps Deliver Inclusive Economic Growth

  • Will get us where we need to get to.
  • Will be reliable, efficient and high quality.
  • Will use beneficial technology.

Improves Our Health and Wellbeing

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

National Performance Framework National Outcomes

  • Children and young people: We grow up loved, safe and respected so that we realise our full potential
  • Communities: We live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe
  • Culture: We are creative and our vibrant and diverse cultures are expressed and enjoyed widely
  • Economy: We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy
  • Education: We are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society
  • Fair work and business: We have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone
  • Health: We are healthy and active
  • Human rights: We respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination
  • International: We are open, connected and make a positive contribution internationally
  • Poverty: We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  1. No Poverty
  2. Zero Hunger
  3. Good Health and Wellbeing
  4. Quality Education
  5. Gender Equality
  6. Clean Water and Sanitation
  7. Affordable and Clean Energy
  8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
  9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  10. Reduced Inequalities
  11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
  12. Responsible Consumption and Production
  13. Climate Action
  14. Life Below Water
  15. Life on Land
  16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  17. Partnerships for the Goals

National Performance Framework

Key National Outcomes in the National Performance Framework

  • Children and young people: We grow up loved, safe and respected so that we realise our full potential
  • Communities: We live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe
  • Culture: We are creative and our vibrant and diverse cultures are expressed and enjoyed widely
  • Economy: We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy
  • Education: We are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society
  • Environment: We value, enjoy, protect and enhance our environment
  • Fair work and business: We have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone
  • Health: We are healthy and active
  • Human rights: We respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination
  • International: We are open, connected and make a positive contribution internationally
  • Poverty: We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Key UN Sustainable Development Goals

  1. No Poverty
  2. Zero Hunger
  3. Good Health and Wellbeing
  4. Quality Education
  5. Gender Equality
  6. Clean Water and Sanitation
  7. Affordable and Clean Energy
  8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
  9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  10. Reduced Inequalities
  11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
  12. Responsible Consumption and Production
  13. Climate Action
  14. Life Below Water
  15. Life on Land
  16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  17. Partnerships for the Goals