Scottish Cities Alliance

The direction of travel in Scotland is a move towards greener, more sustainable transport. And there’s no turning back.

In Inverness, transport firm Stagecoach has launched its first fully electric city bus network and has invested nearly £11 million on 25 zero-emission vehicles to serve the Highland capital.

The buses run on a single daily charge and the good news for passengers is that there’s no loud engine noises or vibrations to worry about – so you can enjoy your journey in peace!

And there’s more. Stagecoach has plans to make all its buses electric in Perth and Dunfermline very soon, with the investment supported by the Scottish Government’s Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund.

Meanwhile in Glasgow, the Clyde Metro transport project has been confirmed as a key priority for investment from the Scottish Government.

Clyde Metro, which represents a multi-billion investment over a 30-year period, could better connect more than 1.5 million people to employment, education, and health services in and around Glasgow.

Cllr Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region, said: “A Clyde Metro can help us address the climate emergency by delivering clean and net-zero carbon connectivity, whilst also providing the affordable, sustainable and integrated public transport system our citizens deserve.”

And Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson, added: “The era where catering for unconstrained growth in private car use is well and truly over.”

Along the M8, The City of Edinburgh Council is looking at reshaping the city’s transport network as it aims to hit net zero by 2030 – and the local authority is asking people for their views. The seven-year £1 billion plan will include more bus and cycle lanes and wider footpaths as the city aims for a 30% reduction in car journeys by 2030.

And in Aberdeen, hundreds of electric bikes are being introduced across the city as part of a new hire scheme.

Jan Tore Endresen, CEO of Big Issue eBikes, the firm behind the bikes, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer electric bikes to Aberdeen.

“They are fun to use and will make shorter trips easier – and benefit vulnerable people. We see how bikes lead to increased travel by public transport in other cities and hope to have the same effect on travel patterns in Aberdeen for a better environment.”

So Scotland is going places. And these places are a healthier, greener destination for us all.