Here are some frequently asked questions about travel information, rail, road and concessionary fares, plus other general transport issues.
If you can't find the answers you need, please contact us
TRAVEL INFORMATION
RAIL
ROAD
CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL
GENERAL
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Can I find train times on this website?
No. For train times and to plan your complete public transport journey, please go to the
Transport Direct website.
Who or what is NADICS?
NADICS stands for Scotland's 'National Driver Information and Control System', which is now known as
Traffic Scotland. The Traffic Scotland website provides traffic information, details about roadworks and 'live-eye' views of roads in Scotland. This service is funded and provided by Transport Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers.
Where do I find travel information?
You can plan any public transport journey within Scotland and from Scotland to main points in the UK with Traveline Scotland. You can also find train, coach, air and road travel information at the Transport Direct website where you can compare city-to-city journeys and access live travel updates.
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RAIL
Are there plans to modernise any of Scotland's major railway stations?
There are proposals to develop and improve Edinburgh's Waverley Station. You can find out about this and other modernisation projects by going to the section on
Rail Projects. There are also ongoing works to improve a number of smaller stations which will be carried out by the franchise operator First ScotRail.
What are the plans for a rail link to the Borders?
The Waverley Railway Project will re-establish a rail link between Edinburgh and the central Borders area and is estimated to be completed by 2011. This is the first phase towards reinstating the entire rail link between Edinburgh and Carlisle, which was closed in 1969. You can find out about this and other
rail projects by going to the section on Rail Projects.
Who's in charge of deciding fares?
First ScotRail are responsible for setting fares within the regulatory framework determined by Scottish Ministers.
Who is responsible for station concourse maintenance?
Network Rail is responsible for maintaining and keeping Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley stations clean. The franchise operator, First ScotRail, is responsible for keeping all other Scottish stations clean.
First ScotRail is measured on their performance as part of the franchise monitoring agreement with the Scottish Government.
Why isn't there more freight carried by rail and what is the incentive for a business to carry freight by rail?
A large quantity of freight is already carried by rail. The Scottish Government actively encourages the movement of freight from road on to rail and waterborne modes of transport, and operates a number of freight grant schemes to support this.
For information about the grants available for the transfer of freight from roads on to rail and waterborne modes of transport, details of grants awarded, visit the
freight grants web page of the Scottish Government website.
Why are there barriers for Scotrail and not Virgin and GNER trains at Edinburgh?
This is a matter for the train operator. The Scottish Government recently provided funding to
First ScotRail to support the introduction of ticket barriers at key stations to improve revenue collection. The Government has no direct involvement in financially supporting operators for cross border services.
Does Scotland have underground/subway trains?
Scotland's only underground/subway system is in Glasgow. It runs clockwise and anticlockwise in a circle in the centre-west of the city and is generally recognised as the world's third underground railway, after London and Budapest. Glasgow's subway system is run by
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.
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ROAD
Are European-style road tolls on motorways planned in Scotland?
There are no current plans, however, in principle, Scottish Ministers support a UK wide road pricing scheme that could involve restructuring motoring taxation.
The Scottish Government is working closely with the
Department for Transport to consider the implications of any such schemes for Scotland.
How do you define or class a trunk road?
A trunk road is a road considered by the Scottish Government to be strategic to the national economy. All existing motorways and many A-roads are designated as trunk roads.
Who's in charge of my local roads?
Local authorities are responsible for managing, maintaining and monitoring non-trunk (local) roads.
Why is there still a toll on the Forth Bridge even though the bridge is now paid for?
The Forth Bridge is the responsibility of the
Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA). They are able to use income generated from tolls for the maintenance of the bridge and for related roads improvements.
What public consultation is carried out before traffic restrictions are brought into place?
That depends on the kind of restrictions being proposed and the reason for them. For example, if lanes on a bridge were being narrowed for health and safety reasons, no publication consultation would be sought. Orders to buy land or new road schemes, however, would always go to public consultation.
Who's in charge of the trunk roads linking Scotland and England?
Transport Scotland is responsible for trunk roads in Scotland and up to the Border with England, after which they are the responsibility of the
Highways Agency in England.
Are trunk roads managed and maintained differently to other roads?
Yes. Trunk roads are the responsibility of and funded by the Scottish Government. They are managed by Transport Scotland and maintained by
operating companies. Local authorities are responsible for managing, maintaining and monitoring non-trunk roads.
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CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL
Do I qualify?
Concessionary fares are available to certain members, such as young people, older people and people with disabilities. To find out if you qualify, go to the page on this website about
concessionary travel and follow the links for more information.
How do I go about applying?
Find out how to apply at the page on
concessionary travel on this website.
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GENERAL
Why is there no information on air, sea and other modes of transport on this website?
Transport Scotland is responsible for the safe and efficient running of the trunk road and rail networks only. The Scottish Government's Transport Directorate remains responsible for (amongst other things) aviation, bus, freight, taxi policy, ferries, ports and harbours, local roads policy and casework. To plan any public transport in Scotland go to Traveline Scotland. To access travel information for air, sea and other modes of public transport, go to the Transport Direct website. To find out about the Scottish Government Transport Directorate, go to the Scottish Government website.
Where can I find out about park-and-ride schemes in Scotland?
If you want to leave the car at home, you can search for local alternatives on the
Choose Another Way website
Where can I find out about car-sharing schemes?
There's a useful introduction to car-sharing on the
Choose Another Way website
What types of transport does the Scottish Government subsidise?
Through a range of mechanisms, the Government financially supports
some or all of the capital and/or revenue costs of a range of types of
transport. Within that, roads and rail have the highest cost.
The Scottish Government publishes an annual Budget document which
outlines the proposed spending plans for each portfolio.
The Draft Budget 2006-07 was published in August 2005 and is available
from the following sources:
- Scottish Government website : www.scotland.gov.uk [publications -
Finance]
- Copies can be obtained from Blackwell's Bookshop [ISBN:
0-7559-4714-2]
The Draft Budget 2006-07 - chapter 8 outlines the proposed spending
plans for Transport Portfolio and outlines the spending plans against
the following modes of transport:
Rail Services
Ferry Services
Bus Services
Concessionary Fares
Air Services
Other Public Transport
Other Capital Grants to Local Authorities Motorways and Trunk Roads
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