Transport User Voice – September 2019 – Developments in Scotland

02 September 2019

A National Transport Strategy and problems on sleeper services

National Transport Strategy

Since April 2017 Transport Focus has participated in the Transport Scotland Partnership Group review of the National Transport Strategy (NTS). This has seen external stakeholders meet regularly during the course of the review to provide stakeholder insight, comment and challenge using their insight evidence base to inform the NTS on behalf of transport users’.

The review of NTS aims to set out a new 20-year vision which encapsulates the priorities for transport in Scotland and provides a framework against which questions about transport investment, priorities and policies can be judged.

The NTS draft for consultation was published on 31 July, advocating a vision for a sustainable, inclusive and accessible transport system. Further details on the NTS and responding to the consultation can be found on the Transport Scotland website.

Caledonian Sleeper

Caledonian Sleeper launched its £150m fleet of new trains – with the first guests travelling on the revitalised overnight rail service (Sunday 28 April) on the Lowlander route between London and Glasgow/Edinburgh.

However, teething problems with the new fleet have generated complaints from guests in recent weeks and have delayed the introduction of the new fleet onto Highlander routes.
In discussions with Caledonian Sleeper regarding the new fleet, Transport Focus has been told the operator is confident that the problems are being resolved and that guests will enjoy the amenities on the new fleet.

As part of the Make Delay Pay campaign – which aims to raise passenger awareness of compensation for delayed and cancelled train journeys – Transport Focus is keen to persuade more rail users to claim what they are entitled to. It will also be meeting with Caledonian Sleeper soon to help ensure the claims process for passengers delayed on the sleeper service is made easier.

Scottish Transport Show

Transport Focus is exhibiting at the first Scottish Transport Show on 25 September in Edinburgh.

Robert Samson, senior stakeholder manager for Transport Focus in Scotland will speak at the show. Come visit Transport Focus’s stand and take part in the debates.

Back to newsletter.