Hyslop hails transport sector as ‘foundation of society and economy’

Transport bosses have gathered to discuss the economic value of the sector after a report found it supports more than 150,000 jobs in Scotland.

The Scottish Transport Summit in Glasgow follows the publication of a report by Transport Scotland called Connecting Scotland – the Value of Transport, which found the sector is an “absolute necessity” for various other areas of Scotland’s economy.

The report found the transport sector supports more than 150,000 full-time equivalent jobs in Scotland and provides £10 billion Gross Value Added (GVA).

It also highlighted how transport affects the economy by facilitating people getting to work, goods being distributed and delivered, and supporting sectors such as tourism and renewables.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, who hosted the summit, said: “Transport has a transformative impact on people’s lives. It gets goods to market, people to their jobs, connects communities, and reliable public transport offers people an alternative to the car. It is clear that transport is a foundation of society and our economy.

“The transport sector supports over £10 billion in terms of Scotland’s Gross Value Added and around 150,000 full-time jobs – so transport certainly pulls its weight, and I believe we can do even more.

“Investing in transport is investing in people. The wider impacts transport has on a number of factors – physical health, mental health, wellbeing, access to healthcare, education, jobs – is proof of that.

“You only need to look at what free bus travel for under-22s, magnificent new infrastructure like the Borders and Levenmouth Railway, and the Queensferry Crossing and Aberdeen bypass has done for the economy to see that.”

The Scottish Government has said its 2025-26 budget will invest £4 billion for transport in Scotland.

On what ministers have already achieved, Ms Hyslop added: “Scotland’s low-emission zones are protecting public health. We’ve delivered over 6,000 public charge points for electric vehicles two years early. We’ve taken decisive action on road safety, including the national speed management review, and six new ferries on order.

“We have around 500 miles of new or improved walking or cycling paths compared to 2010. We have supported the acquisition of 800 zero-emission buses – attracting in vital private sector investment.

“Over 75% of rail passenger journeys in Scotland are now electrified. ScotRail has been brought into public ownership. Six new stations have opened up across Scotland since 2020.

“We achieved all of this while keeping Scotland moving through our public transport system and road network – and while demonstrating resilience to an unprecedented number of high impact named storms.”