Passenger Voice October 2015: Can public transport ever offer a better choice?
30 September 2015
Passengers’ ability to get from A to B easily is an essential element in deciding on whether to use public transport for a journey. How we make this more attractive was the big question the transport industry came together to discuss at our conference in Edinburgh.
Keynote speaker Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Transport and Islands, spoke about how the Scottish Government is improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of transport.
Our chief executive Anthony Smith spoke about current passenger priorities in Scotland. Speakers including Phil Verster of ScotRail/Network Rail Alliance, Edinburgh Transport convener Councillor Lesley Hinds and Caledonian MacBrayne chief executive Martin Dorchester outlined how they are delivering services as part of door-to-door journeys.
From the role of Uber to Edinburgh trams and how smart cards can improve journeys, there were many thought provoking topics in our question and answer session.
While we were in Edinburgh, we also held a reception at the Scottish Parliament where we were joined by more than 50 delegates from across the transport industry. At the event hosted by Patrick Harvie MSP, speakers included the chief executive of Greener Journeys, Claire Haigh, speaking about the crucial role buses play in providing better journeys.
Our Board also met in public in Edinburgh. Alongside presentations on our work we heard from Phil Verster, managing director of ScotRail and Peter Strachan, managing director of Caledonian Sleepers about their future plans for rail in Scotland.
Look out for an invitation to our Gateshead conference in the next edition of Passenger Voice.
