HITRANS

One of seven regional transport partnerships in Scotland, The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership covers Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Highland, Orkney, Moray, and much of the Argyll and Bute area.

In collaboration with Scottish Government, councils, HIE, Transport Scotland, transport operators, and other stakeholders, it is striving to improve infrastructure and transport services for northern Scotland and across the Highlands and Islands.

Its powers include requiring funding from member councils, issuing loans and grants to support regional transport strategy, borrowing money for specific capital expenditure, and participating in community planning.

Established in 2005, the partnership helps stakeholders to take a strategic approach to local transport.

Learn more about the roles Transport Scotland, UK Government, Scottish Government, and local authorities play in the transport industry.

HITRANS helps Community Planning Partners to develop transport, with a view to achieving national outcomes.

Learn more about the legislation and policies that inform HITRANS’ work – from the Climate Change (Scotland) Act to the 2001 Transport (Scotland) Act.

HITRANS’ board is made up of councillors from each local authority area it covers, as well as three non-council members appointed by the Minister for Transport.

In July 2008, Scottish ministers approved HITRANS’ Regional Transport Strategy. A refresh was undertaken in 2018.

There are 69 railway stations in the area HITRANS covers, with services increasing in recent years to cater for the growing number of commuters travelling to Inverness. New freight flows have also developed.

In the HITRANS area, rail services:

• Offer an alternative to car journeys.
• Support tourism.
• Provide an alternative to flying.
• Enable commuters to travel.
• Connect with other modes of transport.
• Transport freight more sustainably.

Challenges include:

• Increasing population and demand.
• Low service frequency.
• Inadequate passenger facilities.

HITRANS believes the Highlands and Islands should have an accessible, easy-to-understand mainstream transport system. The current system comprises a range of transport modes, making interchange key.

There are opportunities around:

• Monitoring and evaluation.
• Greater funding (including for shelters, vehicles, interchange and information).
• Common quality/service standards.
• Scottish Planning Policy 17, which provides the order of priority for personal travel.