FOI/202600508297 · FOI · transferred
Transport Scotland - Queries regarding control of Regional Partnerships: FOI release
Information requested
1. Why since taking Scotrail into Public Ownership has this (The Cairngorm Mountain Railway) and any other public assets similar to this not been taken into Scotrail (from Highlands & Islands Enterprise) as a universal benefit to society and further as an ongoing maintenance & cost saving efficiency plan?
2. This particular asset (The Cairngorm Mountain Railway) further also would support the tourism industry in Scotland, why to date have this & other appropriate public sector land based transport assets not been transferred to public owned Scotrail in the public financial, access and interest?
3. Why are Regional Partnerships not as a whole group not negotiating nationwide provisioning and LA subsides of school time transport including backed by Scot Gov universal Under 22’s free bus travel?
4. Why is SWestrans majority board led also by a conflict of interest D&GC Chair?
5. Why is there no representation from bordering NHS Trusts, Police Scotland for D&G area and surrounding areas - Regional Partnerships are meant to also link up and serve the whole of Scotland?
6. Why are further public bodies like Judiciary 6 Sheriffdoms etc not representing on SWestrans instead of a monopoly of 8 D&GC board members & a Chair against two other Public Body board members?
7. Why is the new D&GC bus organisation (& others by LA’s to replace Stagecoach not linked to Scotrail?
8. Why is there no oversight & Parliament public body of Gov & Transport Scotland that ensures no Public Body has a majority of control of Regional Partnerships as per Transport Scotland Act 2005?
Response
I have included a response to each of your questions below:
Question 1 & 2
The Cairngorm Mountain Railway is owned by HIE and operated by Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited (CMSL) as part of the wider mountain resort. Once the current remediation work is complete, work will take place to consider future operating models for the resort. Currently no consideration is being given to separating the operation of the funicular from the wider uplift and visitor attractions on the mountain. The Cairngorm Mountain Railway and wider resort provide an estimated £10m per year benefit to the local economy and support wider tourism in the area.
Therefore, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
Question 3
As set out in section 51 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, statutory responsibility for the provision of home to school transport rests with local authorities. Further information about local authorities’ statutory obligations are set out in guidance - School transport guidance 2025 - gov.scot.
Therefore, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
While our aim is to provide information wherever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government is not responsible for the subject and therefore does not hold the information. However, you may wish to contact the local authorities who may be able to help you.
Question 4, 5 & 6
The rules governing Regional Transport Partnership’s (RTP) membership are set out in The Regional Transport Partnerships (Establishment, Constitution and Membership) (Scotland) Order 2005. More information on RTP’s membership can be found at the following link: Regional Transport Partnerships | Transport Scotland.
In relation to the specific points raised, we do not have any further information to provide. Therefore, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
Question 7
The Scottish Government’s ambition is for a public transport system which is more accessible, available, and affordable. We want to enable people across Scotland to make positive and proactive choices to use the public transport system and we continue to support that ambition in our work to advance an integrated public transport system.
In relation to the specific point raised we do not hold information on decisions taken by Dumfries and Galloway Council or other local authorities regarding their bus services. Therefore, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
While our aim is to provide information wherever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government is not responsible for the subject and therefore does not hold the information. However, you may wish to contact Dumfries and Galloway Council at Get in touch | Dumfries and Galloway Council who may be able to help you.
Question 8
With regards to your question on oversight of the membership of Regional Transport Partnerships, sections 1 and 2 of The Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 sets out the legislation regarding the establishment of RTPs, including assigning oversight responsibilities directly to the Scottish Ministers.
In addition, the SWestrans website provides information on the partnership’s Board membership and legislative duties.
Under Section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
Therefore, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. Question 3 As set out in section 51 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, statutory responsibility for the provision of home to school transport rests with local authorities. Therefore, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. Therefore, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. Therefore, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
Attachments
No attachments found.