Why do buses matter? 

Buses are the most frequently and widely used form of public transport in the South East of Scotland. Buses also play a role in tackling significant problems like climate change, inequality and social isolation. Problems, such as the lack of bus services or a sudden change in bus provision, have significant impacts on people’s lives.

Our Regional Bus Strategy sets out a vision for a bus network that is affordable, reliable and inclusive, ensuring buses remain a cornerstone of sustainable transport and social mobility. The strategy is a key action from our Regional Transport Strategy.

 

A red and cream single-decker bus with ‘West Coast Motors’ branding is travelling on a rural road surrounded by green fields and rolling hills. The bus has large windows, a front destination display, and a registration plate reading SJ23 HRP. The background shows distant hills under a cloudy sky.The new strategy focuses on three key objectives:

  • Improved service levels: expanding coverage and enhancing reliability to meet the needs of communities.
  • Affordability: making bus travel more cost-effective for passengers.
  • Quality: delivering a better passenger experience through higher standards and modern amenities.

 

To develop the strategy, we first went through a process to produce a Case for Change. This is our evidence base, and was signed off by our Partnership Board in June 2024. Following this, we worked through the issues and opportunities with our local authority partners, operators, interested stakeholders and our board.

During the summer of 2025, we ran a public consultation, to understand what people in our region think of our bus services, and we were delighted to receive over 5,000 responses, highlighting how important buses are to the people who live in the South East of Scotland.

Key themes from the consultation included:

  • Service levels, with many respondents highlighting the need for more reliable and frequent services, particularly in rural areas.
  • Affordability – cost remains a major barrier, with people calling for simpler and cheaper ticketing options.
  • Information and customer service, with feedback stressing the importance of clear, real-time information and better customer support.
  • The impact of delays and route changes which leads to concerns about unpredictability and the feeling that there is a lack of communication when routes change.
  • Accessibility and inclusivity, with respondents emphasising the need for buses to be accessible for all, including those with mobility challenges.

 

The results of this consultation we used to inform the development of the Bus Strategy, which was signed off by our Partnership Board on 28 November 2025.

 

If you would like to know more about the development of the Regional Bus Strategy, please contact Rachael.murphy@sestran.gov.uk  

 

We commissioned SYSTRA and Stantec to help us prepare the SEStran Regional Bus Strategy.

  

Associated documents:

Child Rights and Wellbeing Duties

Equality Impact Assessment

Fairer Scotland Duty Impact Assessment