Mobility hubs that combine various transport forms in one place are to be introduced in Scotland as part of the country’s Strategic Transport Project.
The hubs will combiner public transport stops for buses, trams and trains with bike share schemes, car clubs and e-scooters. They will also feature EV charging points, bike racks and shared taxi rides.
Furthermore, community facilities such as cafés, fitness areas, green space, package collection points, wi-fi and phone-charging appliances will be included within covered waiting areas.
In addition, the hubs will provide real-time journey planning information, walking areas and disabled access.
The project aims to build on a trend sparked by the coronavirus pandemic for people staying and working more locally, reducing the need to travel unsustainably and re-energising towns to help local businesses recover.
The hubs will also contribute to the Scottish government’s goal of establishing ’20-minute neighbourhoods’, which enable people to live, learn, and meet their needs within a 20-minute walk of their home.
Shared transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) will work with the Scottish government on guidance and framework for the project.
Lorna Finlayson, Scotland director of CoMoUK, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we move around and it’s vital that as we recover we properly manage space for public transport and shared mobility modes as an alternative to private cars.
“Public transport is the original shared mode, however the lines between public and shared transport are blurring – there are many new shared modes from bike share schemes to car clubs which are changing behaviour and user needs.”
