Transport Scotland


Transport Scotland customer contact sign
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Transport Scotland is Scotland's national government transportation agency. One of its roles is as the Roads Authority (equivalent to Highway Authority) for Trunk Roads in Scotland. Established in 2006, they manage the operation, maintenance and building of all major roads in Scotland. Unlike the other national Highway Authorities in the UK, Transport Scotland also has national oversight responsibility for most public transportation in Scotland including the rail network, canal network, internal ferry services and ports, internal air travel and road based public transport.

The roads are grouped into four areas for maintenance work which is contracted out to private Operating Companies. The area units are:

North West Unit – managed by Scotland TranServ
North East Unit – managed by Bear Scotland
South East Unit – managed by Bear Scotland
South West Unit – managed by Amey

The sections of the A74(M)/M74 (J12 to the border) and M77 Extension (J5 to Fenwick) built since the early 1990s are exempt from this system and are run under DBFO contracts.

Transport Scotland operates the Traffic Scotland traffic information service on variable message signs and website.

Transport Scotland's rail responsibilities include the building new railway lines, Rail Strategy & Investment and appointing the operator for the Scotrail franchise. It also manages the national concessionary travel scheme, and has responsibility for managing national subsidies for public transport, most notably the subsidized inter-island ferry and air services.