Public transport must up its game

We all – or most of us – want to ditch the car for bus, train or tram but all too often that is not an easy option

Would you prefer to make most of your everyday journeys by public transport?

We should not perhaps be surprised that three-quarters of those questioned in towns and cities across central Scotland responded in the affirmative when they were asked this question.

It’s an appealing idea, especially, a cynic might say, to those who do not have to do it on a daily basis. You can read your paper, or tablet, forget any worries about expensive parking spaces and know that you are taking the environmentally-friendly option all at the same time.

There is no doubt that people today want a healthier lifestyle, with more walking and cycling, and good public transport fits in with that.

It is hard not to wonder, though, how many of the remaining quarter who rejected the idea were regular passengers on Scotrail, familiar with the too frequent reality of overcrowded and cancelled services.

Scotland has had some notable public transport success in recent years thanks to some significant investment. such as the resurgence of rail as a viable option for growing numbers of Scots and the improving cycle provision in our biggest cities.

The reality, however, is that public transport provision remains at best patchy. Far too often, the experience of daily travelers, even in our biggest cities, which enjoy the best public transport, can be maddeningly frustrating – and expensive.

The overall trends in the choices that we all make day-to-day tell their own story. Rail travel and cycling are on the up, but so too is car travel, and the number of people travelling by bus is in freefall – outside of Edinburgh at least – as fares rise rapidly.

Today, the transport convener of Scotland’s capital, SNP councillor Lesley Macinnes, suggests that the days of the “car being king of the road are over”. That is just the latest signal that cars are set to face a growing squeeze within our cities with fines on the horizon for higher polluting vehicles and workplace parking.

Persuading motorists out of their cars and on to public transport is undoubtedly the right objective.

That, however, must come hand in hand with far more significant investment in public transport if it is to succeed. People are willing to ditch their cars, but all too often public transport in Scotland remains the more expensive and less convenient option to the car.