The best of Scotland’s transport industry were honoured at the prestigious Scottish Transport Awards last night. The ceremony was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow. Hosted by radio and television presenter Grant Stott, and now in their eighth year, the Awards recognise excellence, innovation and progress across all areas of transport.
The top award of the night, Scottish Transport Local Authority of the Year, was presented to Fife Council. The Local Authority impressed the judges with their committed, enthusiastic team of transport officers who are strong on innovation, on overcoming hurdles to implementation and on lobbying the private sector to deliver common goals. Road accident figures are at an all time low and since 2007, Fife has achieved a 90% increase in cycling to work, more than a 5% drop in driving to school and a 25% reduction in reported crime across its public transport network.
Scottish Public Transport Operator of the Year went to Caledonian MacBrayne Hebridean & Clyde Ferries. Since 2007 they have implemented an impressively wide-ranging series of improvements including a complete overhaul to passenger information systems; a new timetable to reflect community feedback; improved on-board passenger and catering facilities; and investment in staff training. As a result, passenger satisfaction has significantly increased as have bookings.
The full list of winners and those who were highly commended is as follows:
1. Scottish Transport Local Authority of the Year
Fife Council – Winners
Aberdeenshire – Commended
2. Best Bus Service
Hitrans – The Inverness Airport Jet Network – Winners
3. Advanced Road Safety, Traffic Management and Enforcement (sponsored by FirstGroup)
Glasgow City Council – Go Safe – Winners
South Lanarkshire Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport – Route Action Plans – Commended
4. Best Transport Integration
Dundee City Council – Dundee Travel Active – Winners
5. Best Practice in Travel to School and Work Schemes
Scottish Borders Council – Green Feet Forward – Winners
North Lanarkshire Council – Cumbernauld/St Andrews Primary Schools School Travel Plan – Commended
6. Cycling Improvements
South Ayrshire Council – Route Development 2002-2010 – Winners
7. Walking & The Public Realm
Glasgow City Council – Public Realm and Tourist Pedestrian Signage – Winners
8. The Public Transport Operator of the Year
Caledonian MacBrayne Hebridean & Clyde Ferries – Winners
McGill’s Buses – Commended
9. Contribution to Sustainable Transport (sponsored by GoSkills)
FirstGroup – DriveGreen – Winners
Pentland Ferries Limited – Impact of the new catamaran ferry MV Pentalina – Commended
10. Transport Project of the Year
Morgan VINCI – Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine – Winners
Nestrans – Laurencekirk station re-opening – Commended
11. Excellence in Technology and Innovation
Lothian Buses and City of Edinburgh Council – Bustracker – Winners
Amey – Reducing Risks at Road Works Sites – Commended
12. The Best Transport Partnership of the Year
Transport Scotland & Logica – Transport Scotland’s ‘Smart Ticketing’ Concessionary Travel Project – Winners
Scottish Transport Credit Union – Serving the Industry as a Caring Partner – Commended
Arriva – Youth Bus and Gym Bus – Commended
13. Excellence in Marketing and Travel Planning
ScotRail – Sainsbury’s Partnership Promotion – Winners
14. The Frontline Employee of the Year
Willie Dickson, ScotRail – Winners
Graeme Ritchie, Fife Council – Commended
Edinburgh Airport, Carol Lawton – Commended
15. Outstanding Contribution to Transport Across Scotland
Steve Montgomery – Managing Director, ScotRail
16. Young Transport Professional of the Year
Dr Jillian Anable, Aberdeen University
