Transport Q&A with Michael Matheson

What has been the personal highlight of this past year in your own portfolio?

I have been closely involved in shaping the new National Transport Strategy for Scotland, which outlines a refreshed approach to transport and sets the future direction for the next 20 years.  I want to see a transport system where walking, cycling and public transport are more affordable, attractive and accessible to all. This approach will also help shape our future investment decisions with sustainability and equality being put at the core of second Strategic Transport Projects Review. More broadly, I’ve enjoyed getting my teeth into the new role which combines transport, infrastructure and connectivity for the first time, and getting out and about and meeting people who are passionate about improving transport services. We know that transport tends to generate a lot of headlines because it affects almost every walk of life, however there is also a lot of good work being done and radical changes are in the pipeline. 

How has the climate emergency changed transport policy and priorities?

The Climate Emergency necessitates consideration of policy right across government and I’m glad that our existing plans for transport will see the greatest emissions reduction, in absolute terms, of any sector over the lifetime of the Climate Change Plan. We already invest more than £1 billion a year in public and sustainable transport, including walking and cycling infrastructure and behavioural change programmes, to encourage a shift away from single-occupancy car journeys to more active and sustainable modes of travel. But more must be done, and the forthcoming Programme for Government will reflect that shift. We have commissioned independent research to inform what action is required to further decarbonise the transport sector. In addition, a number of areas in the Transport Bill will contribute to behavioural change to improve air quality in our towns and cities including Low Emission Zones and the Workplace Parking Levy. For those who choose to drive, we have invested almost £30 million since 2012 to develop one of the most comprehensive electric vehicle charging networks in Europe through Chargeplace Scotland. We also provide a range of interest free loans and grants through Energy Saving Trust to make it easier for businesses and individuals make the switch to ultra-low emission vehicles.  What’s important is that none of our policies operate in isolation and the new NTS provides a bold vision for a better connected, responsive and more sustainable transport system than ever before.

The Scottish Government has a target of ten per cent of everyday journeys being made by bike by 2020, but we’re now only at two per cent. How are you going to address this?

To suggest there has not been progress would be unfair, but I acknowledge that we are unlikely to meet the vision by 2020. To accelerate progress, we doubled the active travel budget to £80 million last year, and maintained this amount for 2019, in order to fund innovative behavioural change programmes, high quality infrastructure and place making. Infrastructure is key and I’m delighted that a record sum of money, £51 million prior to match funding in 19-20, has been made available to local authorities through the Places For Everyone programme, delivered by our partners at Sustrans Scotland. Last month I was fortunate to announce the winning projects and the strength of the ambition that councils have demonstrated – projects which respond to the views of the communities who will benefit the most – gives me confidence that Scotland is making real steps in the right direction when it comes to walking and cycling.

You want to increase active travel but opposed a bill to reduce the speed limit in built up areas, to 20 mph, which would have made roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Why?

I have always been clear that 20 mile per hour speed limits should be implemented in the right environments. If you consider the Transport Bill as an example, our approach is about empowering local authorities with the flexible tools to respond to local and specific transport challenges. In this case, local authorities already can and do successfully implement 20 mph limits as we see from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

This year has seen a series of failings by ScotRail. When will it get its last, last chance? 

ScotRail has undoubtedly had problems in the past, but the latest National Rail Passenger Survey and performance stats suggest things are on the up. Our railway continues to compare well on average with other similar operators in the rest of Great Britain, but it is important any operator not only meets customer expectations but also strives to exceed them. That is why ScotRail is already taking action to tackle issues around capacity and punctuality with the introduction of new and longer trains, plus more services and more seats. Recent positive progress and the ongoing efforts to ensure this continues is largely down to staff recruitment and training. While cancellations are now at a two-year low, there is more work to be done and I will continue to press ScotRail to deliver the high standards passengers both expect and deserve. My biggest frustration is that I’m leading a rail industry with one hand tied behind my back. ORR figures for 2018/19 show that almost 60 per cent of all delays were down to Network Rail issues. Franchising, in its current form, doesn’t work and we must use the opportunity provided by Keith William’s review of the industry as a means of delivering real and meaningful structural change in Scotland.  Nothing short of full devolution of rail powers is needed and anyone with a genuine interest in improving our railways should get behind this.

Delays to delivery of new ferries, ferry breakdowns and over-subscribed routes have seriously affected residents and businesses on the Clyde and Hebridean islands over the last year. How will you ensure that those lifeline services meet islanders needs in future?  

We have invested more than £1.4 billion in ferry services across the Clyde and Hebrides since 2007, and we are continuing to invest in new vessels and ferry infrastructure to renew the fleet.  Increased vehicle carryings reflect the success of Road Equivalent Tariff fares and the welcome growth of island tourism, but also means that there are increasing occasions where popular sailings are fully booked for people wanting to travel with a vehicle – and I am well aware of the impact that has on people’s lives and businesses in our island communities. With all this in mind, my officials at Transport Scotland are working with CMAL and CalMac to develop investment programmes for major vessels and small vessels to serve the ferry network. Transport Scotland is also developing an action plan with CalMac to provide clear guidance on how customers should engage with operators if they face difficulty travelling for emergencies, such as medical appointments. My officials will also work with CalMac to consider the measures available to reserve deck space until nearer departure time, allowing passengers to book space to fulfil urgent needs for travel. Our ferry services are iconic transport links that play a vital role for our island economies. Making sure they continue to support the communities they serve will always remain at the heart of our ferry operations.

There will be a delay to completion of the Reaching 100% broadband rollout programme. What effect do you predict this will have and are you confident it will still be completed?

I am determined that the R100 programme delivers the best possible value and benefit for Scotland. By designing the procurement process in the way that we have, we have been able to foster competition, which I believe will drive innovation and future-proofing within the bids. We remain on course to deliver on our commitment to provide superfast broadband access to every home and business in Scotland, regardless of location.  Of course, we have had to build in a degree of flexibility, and bidders have utilised this flexibility to request extensions that enable them to remain in the process and provide their most competitive bids. We considered these requests carefully and balanced the wish to adhere to our timetable against the risks associated with not allowing bidders more time and our determination to provide the best possible outcome for Scotland.  We have therefore provided the bidders with the extension sought, giving them more time to remodel their solutions. This has seen the procurement timeline extended, with the signing of contracts expected by the end of the year. However, this makes no change to our ultimate ambition – 100% means 100% and that is what we will deliver.

Boris Johnson enjoys painting wooden crates. What do you do to unwind?

Nothing as quirky or as interesting as painting crates, or even bridges for that matter. Like most people my age I enjoy watching my kids play sports and it helps bring a sense of perspective in an often hectic working and political environment. I’m a keen mountaineer and thoroughly enjoy exploring what Scotland has to offer with the family.