14th
January 2005
National
Concessionary Fares Next Stop
The new national transport agency will
be up and running by the end of the year, the Scottish Executive has announced. This,
says MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, brings the introduction of
a national concessionary fares scheme for older people another step closer.
“The
current scheme, which gives pensioners free bus travel across the Strathclyde
area, is proving hugely popular with my older constituents,” Mr McNeil said
today.
“But
the creation of the new transport agency will allow the scheme to be extended
nationwide – allowing Greenock pensioners not just free days out to Largs and
Glasgow, but to Edinburgh, Perthshire and beyond.
“The
agency will also be responsible for delivering a host of major transport
projects which will greatly improve Scotland’s transport network as a whole.
By 2007/08, spending on transport will rise to £1.4 billion a year, with
71% of this being invested on public transport.
This massive capital investment will, amongst other things, provide rail
links to both Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.
Working with the proposed regional transport partnerships, I am confident
that the national transport agency can improve our transport network and get
Scotland moving.”
The
new Transport Agency for Scotland will have around 200 staff and be based in
Glasgow. As well as implementing
the national concessionary fares scheme for older people and the disabled, the
new agency will also be responsible for delivering a £3 billion capital
investment programme. This will
include rail links to both Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, the upgrading of
Edinburgh’s Waverly station and the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. The Agency will also take over responsibility for the trunk
road network and the Scottish rail franchise.
ENDS
Back to
Current Press Releases
[ HOME ] [ News ] [ Report to the People ] [ Interact ] [ Links ] [ E-Mail ]
[ Copyright ] [ Directgov ] [ Scottish Parliament ]