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The new national
transport agency will be up and running by the end of the year.
The Scottish
Executive has announced that the new national transport agency will be up
and running by the end of the year. Allan Wilson MSP has welcomed the
announcement which brings the introduction of a national concessionary fares
scheme for older people a step closer.
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.
Allan Wilson said:
“I am delighted that the Transport Minister has now confirmed that the new
transport agency will be up and running by the end of 2005. The agency is
set to implement the national concessionary fare scheme, which will see
thousands of older and disabled people from the Three Towns and the Garnock
Valley benefit from free and unrestricted national bus travel.”
“As well as this 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 per 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, the upgrading of Waverly station and
deliver the Aberdeen Peripheral Route. Working with the proposed regional
transport partnerships I am confident that the national transport agency can
improve our transport network and get Scotland moving.”
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