The Future of Scotland's Buses 2024

After the success of last year’s Public Transport Scotland conference in Glasgow, Buses is once again partnering with Modern Railways for a two-day event, discussing the latest developments in bus and rail. The second day of the conference, February 21, is dedicated to the bus industry. A high calibre line-up of speakers, representing many major operators and the heart of Scottish government, will provide great insight into the country’s bus industry, its future and its most exciting developments.

Wednesday 21st February Schedule

Opening address

10:00-10:10 Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Transport for Scotland

Session 1 Plans and possibilities

10:10-10:30 Bettina Sizeland, Head of Bus, Transport Scotland

10:30-10:50 Neill Birch, Head of Projects, Systra — partnering for success

10:50-11:00 Question and answer

11:00-11:30 Coffee break

Session 2 Operating models

11:30-11:50 Sarah Boyd, Managing Director, Lothian Buses — city operator owned by the city

11:50-12:10 Alex Hornby, Managing Director, McGill's Buses Group — private sector champion

12:10-12:30 Peter Robinson, Commercial Specialist — how and where can franchising work?

12:30-12:40 Question and answer

12:40 Lunch

Session 3 Innovation

14:10-14:30 Michael Solomon Williams, Campaigns Manager, Campaign for Better Transport

14:30-14:50 Carolyn Harper, Senior Marketing Manager, Attracting the youth market - #FreeToExplore with First Bus

14:50-15:10 Spare

15:10-15:30 Steven Russell, Innovation Manager, Stagecoach UK Bus — CAVForth: Lessons from AB1, autonomous bus #1.

Speakers