A fifth pilot project has secured funding from the Scottish Government Mobility as a Service (MaaS) Investment Fund to improve access to transport across Scotland.
GO SEStran becomes the final pilot in the MaaS Investment Fund portfolio. SEStran’s MaaS app will make it quicker and more convenient for people to plan, book and pay for alternatives to private car journeys, whether by bus, train, taxi, bicycle or e-bike hire, car club, or car sharing. The app will link with the physical integration of all of these modes of transport at the Brunton Hall Journey Hub in East Lothian.
As with the other four projects, the pilot aims to support Scotland’s green recovery, seeking to make public transport easier to use and encourage people away from single-occupancy car trips by providing digital access to travel information, so they can be better informed about different ways to plan, undertake and pay for journeys.
Part of the drive behind the SEStran project is to use digital innovation in the public transport sector to support rural communities, elderly, disabled and more vulnerable people in terms of mobility, accessing key services, improved wellbeing and tackling loneliness.
Minister for Transport, Graeme Dey said: “I’m delighted to announce the fifth and final award winner from our Mobility as a Service Investment Fund. These pilots are vital to provide the evidence base for MaaS in Scotland, helping us to become an international leader in Smart Mobility.
“MaaS has the ability to transform the way we use transport by making public and shared transport options more desirable than owning a car. Through these pilots we continue to grow the evidence base for MaaS by developing and testing digital solutions that encourage and enable a shift to public and active transport alternatives. All of which can make a significant contribution to a healthier and more sustainable Scotland.
“I look forward to seeing how SEStran and the other MaaS pilots develop over the coming months.”
Gordon Edgar, SEStran Chair, said: “At a time when public transport in particular is struggling to recover from the effects of the pandemic, this funding from the Scottish Government to trial new ways of getting people out of their cars and onto different modes of transport is very welcome.
“Working with our consortium partners we look forward to learning from the East Lothian pilot, and then seeing if it can be rolled out further in the region. How well tech-enabled on-demand buses work in a rural setting will be particularly interesting.”
