Island communities impact assessment for School Transport Guidance

2. Step two – gather your data and identify your stakeholders

There is no centrally maintained dataset on pupil transport provision across Scotland; national surveys such as the Scottish Household Survey and Hands Up Scotland Survey provide overall trends but do not capture local variations or equity impacts. In island communities, travel patterns differ significantly due to fewer transport options, longer distances, limited active travel routes, and reliance on ferries, making it harder to assess whether national policy outcomes are achieved equitably. Available data lacks detailed breakdowns for islands, so this limitation was addressed through direct engagement with local authority transport coordinators, including island representatives, to identify unique concerns. Local authorities already have statutory duties under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and implement tailored solutions in island areas, such as ferry passes and dedicated minibuses, which remain unaffected by the revised guidance.