Many European countries have public transport systems which allow users to move efficiently and in cost effective ways from one mode of public transport to another. This requires both a fundamental rethink of public transport and a move away from the current system with unregulated bus companies and the current rail franchises. It also requires investment in infrastructure to provide transport hubs at railway stations and easy transfer from train to local buses. Competition between train travel and coach travel should be eliminated (as in Switzerland) and incentives provided to produce a modal shift from private cars to an effective and attractive integrated public transport system. This also requires a total rethink of ticketing systems, especially in urban areas. Good examples can be found in Berlin and Vienna (where a city-wide transport pass costs only 365 Euros per year and allows unlimited usage). Further investment in railway electrification should be an immediate priority in Scotland.
This content is created by the open source Your Priorities citizen engagement platform designed by the non profit Citizens Foundation