Tackling the big transport challenges: what comes next for our region?

April is an important moment in the year for us, as our new work programmes come into focus with the start of the financial year.

A number of transport challenges in our region provide a backdrop to our work – car use continues to grow, which in turn increases emissions and pollution, increases congestion and can cause death and serious injury.

To address this, we need to encourage active travel and the use of public transport. However, over the last few decades, bus patronage has fallen, and whilst active travel rates are increasing, this is a long term, slow burning initiative which is subject to funding challenges.

To tackle these challenges, we need:

1. Bus reform – Buses are struggling with falling passenger numbers, delays and service cuts. Our Regional Bus Strategy is about making services more reliable, affordable and convenient. Government support is key to focusing investment, encouraging innovation and making sure buses work for everyone.
2. To tackle congestion – Congestion isn’t inevitable. Coordinated roadworks, smarter enforcement and measures like road-user charging can make a real difference. Cities like Paris, Stockholm and New York faced resistance at first, but smoother, safer journeys eventually won public support. South East Scotland can do the same.
3. Stronger regional governance – Transport responsibilities are spread across national, regional and local authorities. A local-first approach with regional responsibility for cross-boundary initiatives ensures projects are joined-up, efficient and focused on connecting communities and opportunities.

The importance of these asks has been further confirmed in the Scottish Government’s recently published Climate Change Plan:

“To achieve net zero by 2045, we need to transform how we travel in Scotland. Currently, transport accounts for the largest share of our greenhouse gas emissions. There will need to be a major shift in the vehicles and fuels we use in our transport and energy infrastructure, our travel choices, and in the transport skills that people learn and deploy… In basic terms, we need to move away from the types of transport that contribute most to greenhouse gas emissions and instead use the types of transport that are less carbon intensive. Where possible, especially where public transport alternatives are available, this includes moving away from traditional private car use – the largest contributor to transport emissions.”

So, the need for change is clear. But what does this require, and where do we all fit in – whether as an organisation, a community or an individual?

For South East Scotland, our Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) is a good place to start. It provides the framework for everything we do, through four objectives:

• Transitioning to a sustainable, post-carbon transport system.
• Facilitating healthier travel options.
• Transforming public transport connectivity and access across the region.
• Supporting safe, sustainable and efficient movement of people and freight across the region.

To support the delivery of the RTS, in 2026/27, we will be working on six key programmes which also help address the transport challenges we set out in our Scottish Parliamentary election asks. These programmes will enhance transport connectivity, accessibility and sustainability across the region whilst improving everyday journeys, supporting local communities, driving economic growth and fostering social wellbeing.

• Regional Transport Strategy Delivery Plan: We will define the medium to long term transport interventions required to maximise the region’s economic ambitions (as set out in the Regional Prosperity Framework and partner economic strategies).
• SEStransit: In 2026/27, we will finalise the strategic business case for an integrated regional mass transit network that enables sustainable travel, supports regional growth and cuts carbon.
• People and Place: Through this programme we will fund and support delivery partners to help more people choose active and sustainable travel for everyday journeys.
• Regional Bus Action Plan: We will begin delivering the actions set out in our Regional Bus Strategy. This sets a shared vision for affordable, reliable and inclusive services, informed by thousands of public responses from across the region, and backed by actions on service quality, fares, ticketing, information and governance.
• Transport to Health: Working in close partnership with the four NHS Boards in our region, NHS Scotland Assure, local authorities and national partners, we are developing a bold, region-wide Transport to Health Strategy, grounded in a clear Case for Change, that will remove transport barriers for people accessing health care.
• Transport to Employment: This programme will deliver targeted interventions, in partnership with local authorities and third sector organisations, which aim to reduce child poverty by focusing on increasing employment and training rates, lowering transport costs, and supporting integrated ticketing and bus network enhancements.

By working on these programmes, and as with every year, we will take another step closer to achieving the objectives set out in our RTS and tackling the transport challenges our region faces.

But what about the small changes each one of us can make in our day to day lives? It can be easy to think about change being something we need other people to do, particularly when focusing on overall programmes of work, and forget that this also applies to ourselves.

At SEStran, we try to ‘walk the walk’ as much as possible, using active and sustainable ways to get around wherever we can. And in recent months, I’ve discovered I really enjoy cycling to work on the days we’re in the office, not only for the health and wellbeing benefits, but for the physical activity.

So, as Spring continues to bloom, and we tackle the transport challenges our region faces, could you make a change to a regular journey so that it is more active or sustainable?