Chamber and committees

Transport Scotland has set out a Stage 1 and Stage 2 evaluation of the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme following the first full year of operation. The evaluation will assess the short and medium outcomes and the long term impact of the scheme by comparing conditions at different stages.

During the first year of operation (Stage1), short term outcomes of the scheme such as uptake of entitlement and travel behaviour will be evaluated. Uptake of the scheme will be monitored directly through the application process, which launched on 10 January 2022, and data on usage of the entitlement will be collected through recording of journeys made using the National Entitlement Card. Reports from this evaluation will be published on the Transport Scotland website.

It is an objective of the free bus schemes that bus operators should be financially no better and no worse off as a result of their participation. This objective should mean that there are not subsequent fare pressures on fare paying passengers as a result of the scheme. We have worked with the Confederation of Passenger Transport to arrive at reimbursement rates which seek to meet this aim. Usage of the Young Persons Scheme will be closely monitored to refine the reimbursement model as necessary.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05411 on 24 January 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05400 on 24 January 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Our approach to managing the Covid-19 pandemic has been underpinned by our Framework for Decision Making since its publication in April 2020. The Framework set out the key principles that guide our decision-making in responding to and managing the four key harms of Covid-19. These four harms are distinct but inter-related and comprise the direct health impacts of Covid-19; non-Covid-19 health harms; societal impacts; and economic impacts.

Covid-19 is first and foremost a public health crisis, and the use of legislative powers has been necessary to in order to limit transmission of the virus and save lives. We know that Covid-19 is not about to suddenly disappear, which is why we are currently undertaking work to consider the necessary adaptations to handle any future phases of the pandemic as proportionately and sustainably as possible.

We are working on a revised Strategic Framework, which will set out how we can adapt to managing the virus in the medium to long-term as it becomes endemic. This includes an update to our strategic intent by moving towards developing the necessary flexibility and resilience in our health and social care systems, wider public services, economy and society to deal with potential new variants of Covid-19 or other public health threats.

The updated Framework will set out how we can live as freely as possible while controlling the harms that the virus can cause, using lessons learned during the epidemic to benefit Scotland going forward. We are consulting with businesses, organisations and others across society as part of this process, and we will bring the update to Parliament in the coming weeks.

The decrease in financial support required for the Northern Isles Ferry Services reflects a forecast recovery in fare box revenue, a reduction in the forecast fuel consumption costs and the exclusion of year one contract mobilisation costs that will not recur in 2022-23.

Our priority is for a seamless transition for passengers and staff throughout the transition to ScotRail Trains Ltd from 1 April and during the business’ first year of operation. We have empowered ScotRail to review its range of fares offerings to respond to changing travel behaviours due to the impacts of the Covid pandemic, and as part of this work to seek to simplify fares where possible as part of an improved service to passengers.

In addition, the Fair Fares Review, which is currently in its planning stages, is being undertaken by Transport Scotland to ensure a sustainable and integrated approach to public transport fares in the future.

The Travel Innovation and Strategy budget stream funds a range of transport interventions. The change in budget from financial year 2021-22 of £39.9 million to £21.6 million in 2022-23 reflects a reduction in the capital grant support required for the Glasgow Subway Modernisation programme due to the re-profiling of programmed works by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. There is no impact on deliverables through this budget movement.

The annual Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics publication is the main source of data used to assess territorial emissions of greenhouse gases in Scotland. Although each annual publication is accompanied by a spreadsheet containing all background data at its full resolution, it is not currently possible to distinguish between types of generation or fuels using these data.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) releases a quarterly publication presenting statistics on the number of patients waiting for one of the eight key diagnostic tests, which are covered by the national six-week standard. Further information on these tests and the latest available statistics up to the 30 th September 2021 can be found here:

Diagnostic waiting times - Waits for key diagnostic tests 30 November 2021 - NHS waiting times - diagnostics - Publications - Public Health Scotland

In addition, PHS collects data on patients waiting for six other tests not covered by the national six-week standard, including Echocardiography. However, these data are not routinely quality assured and completeness may vary by Board. Verified data for patients waiting for an Echocardiogram is therefore not available centrally.

The Islands Connectivity Plan, to replace the current Ferries Plan, will be produced during 2022 and engagement and consultation on this will enable substantial public and community input.