SEStransit
Expanding and improving the public transport network in the South East of Scotland
The South East of Scotland is undergoing major change. A growing population, shifting economic demands and the urgent need to respond to climate change are placing increasing pressure on our transport network.
To support our region’s future, expanding and improving our public transport network is essential. We need a reliable and well-connected system that helps people reach jobs, education and services, and strengthens local businesses by improving access for customers, suppliers and visitors. And better public transport connections across our region will help ensure that prosperity is shared more evenly between urban and rural communities.
We’re working with the eight local authorities in our region, along with the Edinburgh and South East of Scotland City Region Deal, Transport Scotland and Network Rail to develop a comprehensive and integrated public transport system across the region.
Why expand and improve public transport network in South East Scotland?
There are a number of reasons:
- The population of the South East of Scotland is increasing rapidly, with four of Scotland’s five fastest growing local authority populations located in our region. Between 2023 and 2028, the population of Midlothian is forecast to grow by 13.8% This population growth means our region will see more journeys for work, education and leisure. There are also new strategic development sites that incorporate housing and commercial, leisure and retail opportunities. Without expansion, our existing public transport will become overcrowded, unreliable and unable to meet demand.
- Private car use is the main cause of congestion on our roads. Congested roads not only result in only wasted time and lost productivity but also contribute significantly to air pollution and carbon emissions. A shift to public transport will reduce congestion, improve air quality and support improved health and wellbeing for everyone.
- Accessible public transport is a vital element of tackling social inclusion. For those who don’t have access to a car, public transport can be their only way to get to healthcare appointments, education, work or social activities. A better public transport system in our region will ensure residents, regardless of income, age, or ability, can travel affordably and conveniently.
In 2022, Transport Scotland published its second Strategic Transport Projects Review which included a variety of recommendations to improve transport across the whole of Scotland. One of these, recommendation 12, was for Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland to have a mass transit system to provide more public transport options for cross-boundary travel, reducing the need to make unnecessary changes between services and leading to shorter journey times.
What are we doing?
We are at the very early stages of thinking about how the public transport network in the South East of Scotland could be improved. We are developing a programme level strategic business case to set out the strategic and socio-economic case, and to create the governance structure for the longer-term work programme. This is likely to be completed by Spring 2027.
It is important to note that at this stage of the process no decisions have been made about what types of public transport will be part of SEStransit. However, as we are looking to provide faster, greener and more reliable connections across our region, the Strategic Business case will consider a range of public transport interventions, which will include bus, tram and heavy rail.
