Scottish Transport Delivery to 2031: What's the plan?

Tuesday 27th October 2026

Transport is now a central test of affordability, accessibility, climate policy and public service delivery in Scotland. The question is how national commitments on fares, buses, rail, active travel, accessibility and emissions can be delivered in ways that work for passengers, public bodies, business and communities.

This conference will examine what the latest National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan means in practice. It will consider how Scotland can improve affordable public transport, strengthen local and regional networks, support lifeline connectivity, widen access, and connect transport investment to health, inclusion, economic growth and climate goals.

The fifth National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan was published on 18 March 2026. It records progress over 2025 and planned work for 2026, including action on accessible transport, active travel, low-emission zones, public transport, road safety, smart ticketing, rail, buses and regional/local transport delivery. However, affordability is now politically prominent. The plan notes that over two million people can already travel free by bus through concessionary schemes. Eligible island residents receive ferry vouchers. ScotRail peak fares have been permanently removed and rail fares were frozen for 12 months from 1 April 2026. The SNP election campaign also included a pledge for a £2 cap on single bus fares.

The programme will move from national ambition to delivery reality. It examines who pays for lower fares, how local bus networks are planned, how disabled and older people experience journeys, how active travel can be made safer and how investment decisions can demonstrate public value.

Bringing together national and local government, operators, regional transport partnerships, passenger bodies, accessibility organisations, active travel specialists, climate voices, economists and delivery experts, the conference will help delegates understand what the Scottish transport delivery plan to 2031 is.

This online conference will focus on three themes:

• The transport delivery challenge
• Access, climate and behaviour change
• Delivery, climate and accountability

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Key themes for discussion

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• Understanding the transport delivery challenge
• Focussing on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy and what delivery now requires
• Embedding affordable public transport in fares, funding and the £2 bus cap
• Developing buses, local services and regional transport partnerships
• Taking action on access, climate and behaviour change
• Addressing accessible transport incluing disability, age, rurality and equal access
• Discussing active travel, health and local places
• Considering the challenges of climate and accountability
• Targeting outcomes in transport, net zero and low-emission standards
• Planning effective delivery, procurement and accountability for transport investment

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Who should attend?

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This conference is relevant to:

• transport policy, strategy and delivery leads
• local authority transport, roads and infrastructure teams
• regional transport partnerships
• bus, rail, ferry and community transport operators
• public transport planners and passenger-service managers
• accessibility, equalities and inclusion leads
• climate, net zero and sustainability professionals
• active travel, walking, wheeling and cycling organisations
• public health and place-based planning teams
• economic development and regeneration officers
• procurement, finance and infrastructure investment professionals
• passenger, consumer and community transport bodies
• rural, island and lifeline service representatives
• councillors, board members and senior officers responsible for transport, place, climate or community connectivity

Speakers