11 June 2018, 08:40

New transport legislation set to empower local authorities

Flexible options introduced to improve bus services

The Transport (Scotland) Bill will bring forward the most radical measures since devolution to make Scotland’s transportation network cleaner, smarter and more accessible than ever before. It aims to empower local authorities and establish consistent standards in order to tackle current and future challenges, while delivering a more responsive and sustainable transport system for all.

Proposed measures in the Bill include:

Providing local authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) with the flexibility to improve bus services through partnership working with operators or, where there is a good case for doing so, local franchising or running services themselves.
Enabling the creation and decriminalised enforcement of Low Emission Zones.
Prohibiting double parking and parking on pavements and giving local authorities the powers needed to enforce this important change.
Standardising smart ticketing technology to ensure compatibility, and setting in place an advisory body to best support interoperable Scotland-wide smart ticketing.
Strengthening the powers of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner in order to better regulate road works.
Allowing RTPs to build up and carry appropriate financial reserves.
Giving Scottish Ministers powers to enhance the board structure of Scottish Canals to strengthen its capacity to support economic regeneration.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said:

“The Transport Bill reflects a period of significant public consultation and engagement. It responds to the views of passengers and stakeholders by providing local authorities and RTPs with the tools to address local needs.

“This government will not stand by as bus passenger numbers decline. Partnership is at the centre of our proposals, with a new model for local authorities to work with bus operators to revitalise services. We are also providing clearer options for authorities to pursue local franchising or provide services themselves in appropriate circumstances.

“Beyond bus services, this Bill will allow for decriminalised enforcement of Low Emission Zones, double parking and parking on pavements. This will help transform our towns and cities into cleaner, more accessible and more pleasant spaces to travel and enjoy. By strengthening the technology and governance which underpins smart ticketing, people will be able to move between our cities with greater ease and convenience.

“The Bill will also further increase the safety and efficiency of road works to help keep our traffic flowing. We are supporting regeneration along our canals and ensuring the future of the network by strengthening governance and we are also bolstering the ability of RTPs to manage larger projects.

“By empowering local authorities and continuing to work in partnership with transport operators, we will continue to develop a cleaner, smarter public transport system with improved connectivity, accessibility and greater economic benefits for all of Scotland.”

The Transport Bill is available to view on the Scottish Parliament website.

Read more about the Bill on the Transport Scotland website.

Contact Information

Matthew Millar
Transport Scotland
07890319062
matthew.millar@transport.gov.scot

Notes to editors

Explanatory Notes and the Policy Memorandum are available on the Scottish Parliament website. Further details on provisions:

Bus Services: The Transport (Scotland) Bill aims to improve on the current legislative framework governing bus services in Scotland, principally the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001.

The Transport (Scotland) Bill aims to give Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) more flexibility to respond to local needs by pursuing partnership working with operators on a statutory basis, by local franchising or by running their own buses in certain circumstances. The Bill also includes measures to improve the information available to passengers, making bus travel a more attractive option, and makes provision for information to be provided to LTAs when services are deregistered, helping them where necessary to secure alternative services.

Low Emission Zones: The Bill enables the creation, and civil enforcement, of Low Emission Zones by local authorities and allows the Scottish Government to set consistent standards for emissions, penalties, certain exemptions and parameters for lead-in times for low emission zones.

Smart Ticketing: The Bill provisions allow for the setting of a national technological standard for smart ticketing and permit local authorities to impose ticketing schemes in their areas, which require that standard to be met by operators. The Bill will also ensure that governance arrangements are formalised and enhanced to further develop smart and integrated ticketing in order to facilitate Scotland-wide interoperability.

Pavement Parking and Double Parking: Vehicles parked on footways (pavements) can hinder the safe passage of pedestrians, as well as reducing the independence of vulnerable people, especially for the elderly and disabled as parked cars can damage surfaces, which can result in trip hazards. Additionally, vehicles that are double parked can impact the safe movement traffic and can also endanger other road users or obstruct access to vital services. The Bill will prohibit double parking and parking on pavements and will give local authorities the powers needed to enforce this important change and improve safety and accessibility for all.

Road Works: The provisions in the Bill will help implement recommendations to improve the regulation of road works and strengthen the powers of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner (SRWC). On the former, it will include provisions relating to fencing and lighting at road works sites, safety measures, qualifications of roads authority workers, reinstatement quality plans, information about apparatus, and commencement and completion notices. On the latter, it will include provisions giving the SRWC powers of direction, power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices, an inspection function and inspection powers.

Regional Transport Partnership Finance: Despite their work covering different financial year periods, RTPs have encountered differing legal views on whether they are able to hold financial reserves and carry these forward from one financial year to another. The Bill will ensure legal clarity so that RTPs can create and carry forward financial reserves across the financial year-end, as with local authorities currently.

Scottish Canals Board: The Bill will enable the Scottish Ministers to vary the size and skills mix of the Scottish Canals Board in order to reflect its expanding remit.