Transport Secretary has provided an update
on progress towards delivering an effective transport system
once the lockdown is lifted.
Mr Matheson has held meetings with representatives from across
the transport sector including bus, rail, aviation and ferries,
to discuss how operators can begin to bounce back from the
impact of the outbreak.
In tandem with the Scottish Government planning process,
transport is planning ahead for upcoming challenges. Transport
will play a key role in the recovery process in terms of
supporting essential travel, but also ensuring the public has
confidence in using public transport while maintaining physical
distancing.
Addressing the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and
Connectivity Committee today, Mr Matheson said:
“Since March 23 the clear message for the public that they
should “Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives”, demand for
public transport has fallen by somewhere between 85 and 90 per
cent against ‘normal’.
“Now, looking forward to the transition to a new-normal for
transport, there are a range of issues under
consideration.
“The level of physical distancing required will obviously
affect the supply of public transport. Operators estimate that
the 2 metre rule could mean capacity is anywhere between 10 and
25 per cent of ‘normal’.
“As Government considers how and when to ease lockdown
measures it is obvious that careful management of demand on the
transport system will be necessary. Over the coming weeks I
will set out how our Transport Transition Plan will support
Scotland’s people and businesses on that journey to the “new
normal”.
“The plan will set out what steps public transport
operators will take to make our buses, trains and ferries as
safe as possible. It will provide guidance to the public and
business on how and when to use public transport, reinforcing
the importance of continued working from home, staying local
and walking and cycling.
“The plan will also set out how we will engage with local
authorities, regional transport partnerships and operators to
operationalise this across Scotland.
“We continue to do all that we can to mitigate the impact
of Covid-19 on public transport, and to ensure that the
transport system is ready to cope with increasing demand as we
move towards our new normal.”
Notes to editors
As a result of the fall in demand on public transport,
operators have significantly reduced services across all modes
– bus and rail by 30 and 43 per cent respectively. The impact
of physical distancing measures a system that typically had 1.5
million journeys per day with peaks in demand at 100% capacity,
will now be substantially looking ahead.
In response to the Covid-19 crisis, a new £10 million “Spaces
for People” fund was launched on 26 April, administered by
Sustrans and providing funding and support for Local
Authorities to introduce temporary changes to infrastructure to
enable physical distancing by cyclists and pedestrians.
Sustrans have also launched an interactive map allowing key
workers to identify active travel services available locally.
In order to support operators through this time we have taken a
range of actions, such as the Emergency Measures Agreements
with Rail operators, maintaining concessionary travel
reimbursement and Bus Services Operator Grant payments at the
levels forecast prior to the impact of Covid-19.
