saptdev_8hjnna, Author at Scottish Association for Public Transport

By ScotRail to the Harry Potter Bridge – The Role of Rail in Scottish Tourism

The spectacular scenery of Scotland’s Mountains, Moors and Lochs is best viewed from the train. The Jacobite steam train (“Hogwarts Express”) carries thousands of Harry Potter fans every year over the world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, aka the Harry Potter Bridge (see photo). The Royal Scotsman, “Scotland’s poshest train”, offers luxury land cruises on the West Highland […]

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Grangemouth Rail Opening

Trains

Re-opening the railway to Grangemouth emerged as a popular issue from the recent 2024 travel survey by Falkirk Council. Successful restoration of train services to Leven and the Borders confirms rail as a catalyst for economic regeneration. This is badly needed in Grangemouth. The Scottish and UK Governments have announced an investment plan for Grangemouth following the decision to

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Far North Line 150th Anniversary

Trains

SAPT was one of 5 organisations involved in putting together a photographic exhibition to mark the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Far North Line. The others were: The Friends of the Far North Line fofnl.org.uk The Highland Railway Society hrsoc.org.uk The Highlands & Islands Transport Partnership hitrans.org.uk The Far North Line Community Rail

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Coach Competition Intensifies between Scottish Cities

Buses

Well established Citylink coach services continue to serve the Saltire Cross network of routes linking Glasgow and Edinburgh with Aberdeen and Inverness with Perth Broxden as the central node point. Frequency of these services was considerably increased from Spring 2024, especially at weekends. Citylink operators on these routes include the following: Stagecoach, D&E Coaches, McLeans

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Ferry Alternatives – How to achieve a better service for less public money

Presentations

By Roy Pedersen Scotland’s state-funded ferry services are in disarray and exhibit very poor productivity. This is manifest in inconvenient schedules, limited capacity and unreliability, combined with very high levels of public subsidy, all of which undermine the aims of the Scottish Government’s own Islands Act. This state of affairs has been exacerbated by a

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HS2 and Scotland

Trains

Scotland has a vital interest in the current re-appraisal of HS2 following the illthought-out curtailment by former prime minister Rishi Sunak. Anglo-Scottish air travel accounts for a considerable proportion of Scotland’s aviation greenhouse gas emissions. There are over 50 flights each weekday from Glasgow and Edinburgh to London, making this the busiest domestic air corridor

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Planning to Avoid Transport Cuts

Buses, Trams

Public transport costs the Scottish Government £2 billion every year. Buses and trains are essential for many people and for reducing car travel and emissions. But in the current financial climate, short-term economies in operation are feared in 2025. The Scottish Government is responding to current short-term financial pressures. But longer term strategic planning is

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Modal shift opportunities for visitors

Buses

The Trossachs Explorer is a new initiative from the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. It has provided a regular interval seasonal bus service from Aberfoyle to Callander seven days a week from 1 July to 30 September. There are six stops on the route, including Loch Katrine, which gives access to the boats on

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Transport planning needs in Rural areas

Buses, Trains

During the Challenge Poverty Week in October, the Poverty Alliance were calling for improvements in the affordability, accessibility and reliability of public transport so all of us have the same freedoms to access essential services, employment and leisure. Rural Scots, particularly those living on low incomes, feel let down by public transport as poor bus

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From heritage buses to net zero emissions

Buses

Lothian Buses attracted a large number of visitors to their Doors Open Days event at Marine garage in Edinburgh. Visiting heritage vehicles from Lathalmond Bus Museum helped to demonstrate the history of the fleet from tramway replacement services in the 1950s up to the present day. Positioned at the far end of the line up

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