Whether it’s trains, planes, or
automobiles, Scotland’s transport system brings tough choices for John Swinney.
On
ScotRail, he’s under pressure to extend the government’s pilot scheme to remove
peak rail fares and shift to off-peak fares all day. But it’s due to expire
next month.
Little
planning was done on the cost impact — so Humza Yousaf came close to writing a
blank cheque for this, albeit with the aim of helping commuters in a cost of
living crisis.
So
will the new FM agree it’s cash well spent? In recent weeks, he’s talked of
using public money “forensically” to make the greatest impact. That
could give cover for cutting this programme.
Buses
are coming under public control in Strathclyde — a transformative move after
years of decline.
But
that’s set to take years. Could John Swinney spend more to speed this up – and
allow other regions to follow Strathclyde’s lead?
Buses
are Scotland’s most used form of public transport, so improvements here could
arguably deliver greater change than any other transport plan.
The
end of the Bute House agreement could bring a fresh commitment to road-building
and improvement work, as Green priorities give way to the needs of motorists.
We
can expect renewed demands to dual the A9 from Perth to Inverness, the A96 from
Aberdeen to Inverness and the A75 between Stranraer and Gretna.
And
that may tempt Mr Swinney to divert funds from the active travel budget. It
pays for improvements to cycling, wheeling and walking routes.
CalMac is
still chronically short of ferries. More are on their way. But calming this
storm may require more radical plans.
Will
the FM be tempted to commission more vessels from abroad, or more of the
cheaper catamarans which could give the ferry operator more bangs for its
bucks?
