New Transport Minister must change direction of travel

Responding to the appointment of Fiona Hyslop as the new Minister for Transport, Scottish Liberal Democrat rural affairs and connectivity spokesperson Beatrice Wishart MSP said:  

“I welcome Fiona Hyslop to her position and I hope that she can deliver for the people of Scotland in this new portfolio. 

“For too long, islanders and those living in more rural communities have endured a never-ending catalogue of disruption when trying to get from A to B. It’s time for this government to change the direction of travel.  

“Fiona Hyslop must listen carefully to the needs of those communities, and she should adopt Scottish Liberal Democrat proposals to strengthen transport links and improve services. From cutting train fares to establishing a resilient ferry network, our party is committed to creating a public transport network that works for all communities, for all ages and for the climate.”  

ENDS

Notes to editors

Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out five key priorities for the new Transport Minister:

• Establish a reliable ferry service for island communities across Scotland.
• Open up bookings on the Serco NorthLink ferry, which serves the Northern Isles, for dates beyond 30th September 2023.  
• Explore new rail lines, particularly in areas where public transport links are poor.
• Cut train fares and introduce new options for two/three day a week season tickets.
• Extend under-22s bus pass to inter-island ferries.