Transform Scotland - For Sustainable Transport

Interchange project

Transform Scotland has audited the ease of combining cycling with public transport networks across Scotland. The ‘Interchange’ project analysed 19 bus stations, rail stations and ferry terminals in ten towns and cities across Scotland, from Aberdeen to Mallaig, and from Inverness to Glasgow.



The 'Interchange' project concluded that while there are some stations that have excellent cycling facilities, the majority do not, resulting in an uneven experience for cyclists. Transform Scotland argues that with coordination and effort, a basic and consistent level could be maintained. By implementing the recommendations of the report and providing funding, cyclists' experience could be transformed. By realising these changes, the reach and flexibility of the public transport network could be drastically increased as over 60% of the Scottish population live within a 15 minute cycle to a bus or rail station or ferry terminal.

Video
Transform Scotland have launched a video illustrating the project, prepared for us by Duncan MacLaren of Top Storey Media. This is available at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6qLMtbyc2o> (three minutes) and, in a one minute edit, at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9M3p7OIgEU>.

Summary Report


The Summary Report brings together the findings of 19 individual Audit Reports and sets out three key recommendations:

1. Firstly, that ‘Active Travel Hubs’ -- centres that would provide a variety of services to bike users (e.g. bike hire, bike repair, or advice on cycle routes) -- be established at key transport interchanges.
2. Secondly, the establishment of an ‘Active Travel Friendly’ Standard, an award given to consistent and well thought-out facilities.
3. Thirdly, the appointment of an ‘Active Travel Architect’ for the design of new or redeveloped major public transport facilities to ensure best practice is met.

Detailed Audit Reports have been published for these transport interchanges:

• Dundee Seagate Bus Station
• Edinburgh Bus Station
• Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station
• Fort William Railway Station
• Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station
• Inverness Bus Station
• Inverness Railway Station
• Perth Leonard Bus Station
• Perth Railway Station
• Stirling Bus Station
• Stirling Railway Station

For the following locations, the Audit Reports assess ‘Sustainable Transport Hubs’ with more than one mode of transport:

• Aberdeen (Bus Station, Railway Station, and Ferry Port)
• Mallaig (Railway Station and Ferry Port)
• Oban (Bus Station, Railway Station, and Ferry Port)

Three 'Thematic Reports' have also been prepared, grouping the audit findings across three topics:

• Bus Stations Report (Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth, and Stirling bus stations)
• ScotRail Stations Report (Fort William, Inverness, Perth, and Stirling railway stations)
• Sustainable Transport Hubs Report (Aberdeen bus, rail and ferry; Mallaig rail and ferry; Oban bus, rail and ferry)

Finally, an Interchange Toolkit has been produced which allows any groups or individuals, as well as transport operators themselves, to audit their own local transport facilities.


Report launch at South West Community Cycles, Pollokshaws West Railway Station in Glasgow. The full set of photos are available on our Facebook page.