Bids invited for concessionary travel technology

TRANSPORT MINISTER ANNOUNCES TENDERING TO START FOR FUTURE READY SYSTEM

Three organisations have been invited to tender for provision of a new concessionary travel asset management system announced Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, today.

The new system, which is to replace the current back office technology, can be used across different modes of transport and will be supported across the whole of the UK.

Fully integrated with smart ticketing, the software will also supply more detailed concessionary journey information, providing a more efficient system for bus operators with a better billing and reimbursement process.

Mr Stevenson said

“The Scottish Government is fully committed to the success of the concessionary travel scheme and I am pleased to see the start of tendering for this important, newer generation technology.

“Being operable across all modes of transport, across the UK, this system is future ready. It will also improve on the current software with a more accurate, more efficient recording system and it is anticipated, through improved processes for electronic ticketing, will also deliver further operational savings.

"Our concessionary travel scheme has already provided over 1.1 million users with greater access to services and facilities. This important service not only allows for greater social inclusion, but also tackles carbon emissions by promoting modal shift from private car to public transport.”

Ecebs Ltd, Applied Card Technologies Ltd and ERG Transit Systems (UK) Ltd have been selected to tender for the c£10m Asset Management System - Host Operator Processing System (AMS-HOPS) contract following successful prequalification. Tenders are expected to be submitted early in 2011.

Water Consultation

A consultation will be launched this week on ways of giving Scottish Water increased flexibility to help build a low carbon economy.

The Scottish Government will launch 'Building a Hydro Nation - A Consultation', examining how Scotland, and in particular, Scottish Water, as a publicly-owned utility, can better exploit its expertise, assets and Scotland's water resources for the continuing benefit of water customers, the environment and the wider Scottish economy.

The consultation will seek views on the range of opportunities for Scottish Water to take on new activities while remaining under public ownership - from converting redundant treatment works into recycling facilities to putting hydro electric schemes in redundant reservoirs; from upgrading sewage treatment plants to harvest biogas to new wind power projects on its land; and playing a role in international development, either on a commercial or humanitarian basis.

Mr Stevenson said:

"Scotland is rightly seen internationally as a leader in the transition to a low carbon future. We have the most ambitious climate change legislation anywhere in the world, and we are now more than half way to reaching that world-leading 2020 emissions reduction target.

"Scottish Water, already a huge success story, has the potential to play a greater role in the development of a low carbon economy and grow from a successful utility to become a widely based, dynamic, world-leading water organisation, while remaining within public ownership.

"For example, we could use Scottish Water's assets to generate enough renewable energy to meet its own needs and export to the grid, making a significant contribution to our targets.

"Our consultation will seek views on the best ways of ensuring Scottish Water is able to take on additional functions and develop new commercial opportunities."

North East trains on track for return to service

Train services to Aberdeen from Glasgow and Edinburgh are slowly re-opening with the return of near normal rail services despite freezing conditions forecast to continue.

The news comes as national transport agency Transport Scotland also confirmed that the majority of the strategic road network was opened today on Sunday (5 December 2010).

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

“Despite freezing temperatures forecast, it is encouraging to see we are slowly returning to a more normal transport service in and around the North East with more rail services expected to run than in previous days.

“Transport staff across the country are working round the clock to keep our networks open and I am pleased our national roads network is almost entirely re-open again.”

“We have adequate salt supplies to see us through further bad weather, currently four times more than at the worst time in the winter last year and more deliveries due in the next few weeks. We also have a contingency supply ready for use in an emergency.”

With more adverse weather forecast for this week, careful journey planning is still essential. Travellers are urged to make informed and up-to-the-minute decisions with all the available travel news.

Journey planning information is available at Traffic Scotland and Traveline Scotland; iPhone users can download a free travel app that gives them access to all this information on the move.

Drivers should follow four key steps for safe winter driving

• Check the weather forecast and road conditions,
• Consider if you need to travel at all or can wait until weather improves
• Consider alternative routes
• Consider alternative modes of Transport