CoMoUK sets out shared mobility steps for Scotland

CoMoUK has urged the next Scottish Government to ‘transform’ Scotland’s transport system by adopting shared mobility solutions. 

In a briefing to all parties ahead of May’s Holyrood election, CoMoUK set out steps including further investment and widespread promotion of car clubs and bike share schemes to help the country meet its climate change targets.

In the ‘Greener, Fairer and Healthier Scotland’ document, CoMoUK urged the next Scottish Government to introduce on-demand bus services to attract passengers post-pandemic and create a mobility hub at every major NHS site as part of a package of wider shared transport measures.

The charity stated the initiatives would help reduce private car dependency, particularly in rural areas, and areas that are currently poorly served by public transport.

They would also allow the next Scottish government to see improvements to public health and the economy.

Lorna Finlayson, Scotland director of CoMoUK, said: “Scotland faces unprecedented challenges such as meeting our environmental targets, improving health and wellbeing, and responding to the devastation caused by Covid.

“Shared transport has a major role to play, and we want to see all political parties take that seriously when they go to the people of Scotland asking for their vote.

“But this is about far more than simply making transport more efficient, cheaper and greener.

“Comprehensive improvements will also make society healthier in body and mind and could deliver real economic benefits for everyone.”

The document also stated that ‘prescription cycling programmes’ could be considered for areas of deprivation in a bid to improve health and increase transport options for those on lower incomes.

Other proposals include investment in electric vehicle (EV) charge points and mobility credits targeted at low-income families.

Finlayson added: “We also need to see a commitment to new ideas.

“Flexible, on-demand bus services would be one way to help Scottish communities which have been cut-off following service reductions across the country and encourage people out of their cars.

“Mobility hubs are also an important feature of the future. They help create 20-minute neighbourhoods – something that’s more important than ever in a post-pandemic era – and they create places of which communities can be proud.

“This upcoming election is one of the highest-profile in many years. We want to see imagination and a commitment to shared transport at the very heart of parties’ plans.”