Scottish Spending Review 2026
The Scottish Spending Review 2026 sets out the Scottish Government's indicative spending plans up to 2028-29 for resource, and up to 2029-30 for capital.
Chapter 9 Transport
The Transport portfolio is central to Scotland’s economic growth and climate ambitions, providing the connectivity that people, communities and businesses rely on every day. An efficient, affordable and accessible transport system is critical to achieving the First Minister’s priorities: eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling climate change and improving public services.
Over the spending review period, we will invest nearly £15 billion in maintaining and improving Scotland’s transport network while embedding reform to ensure fiscal sustainability. Four-year capital plans will deliver major projects such as A9 dualling, progressing A96 dualling, introducing new trains and rail electrification. We will also invest in active travel, zero-emission transport, port and harbour upgrades and seven electric ferry vessels. Our approach prioritises resilience, accessibility and efficiency, while driving long-term value for money across all modes of transport.
We will continue to support bus, rail and ferry services and maintain the trunk road network. We will make travel more affordable through concessionary travel, road equivalent tariffs and the air discount scheme, ensuring fair access to safe, reliable services that offer choice and strengthen communities.
The Transport portfolio will remain central to delivering the Scottish Government’s climate ambitions, with nearly £1.4 billion for low carbon and sustainable travel, including active travel, bus infrastructure and support for zero emission vehicles. Our approach prioritises investment in sustainable travel, encouraging modal shift which also supports improving our health and wellbeing. We will continue to accelerate electric vehicle adoption and expand charging infrastructure. In parallel, we will draw on commercial finance to increase investment to decarbonise Heavy Goods Vehicles and encourage rail freight growth to support a resilient, low carbon transport system.
The Transport portfolio is taking a strategic approach to ensure long term fiscal sustainability while safeguarding essential connectivity and enabling people to make positive and proactive choices to use public transport. Transport public bodies are working together to deliver real change and efficiencies. Investment during this Spending Review will help achieve the National Transport Strategy vision of a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system for Scotland.
| Level 2 |
2026-27 £m |
2027-28 £m |
2028-29 £m |
2029-30 Capital & FT £m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rail Services | 1,495.3 | 1,491.9 | 1,466.5 | – |
| Concessionary Fares and Bus Services | 528.3 | 523.5 | 529.8 | – |
| Sustainable Travel, Low Carbon and Other Transport Policy | 356.6 | 324.1 | 411.0 | – |
| Trunk Road Network: Safety, Adaptation, Maintenance and Improvement* | 982.5 | 1,065.6 | 1,233.3 | – |
| Ferry Services | 513.4 | 573.3 | 621.4 | – |
| Air Services | 76.3 | 74.8 | 73.1 | – |
| Total Transport | 3,952.4 | 4,053.2 | 4,335.1 | – |
| of which | ||||
| Total Fiscal Resource | 1,683.8 | 1,690.1 | 1,868.1 | n/a |
| of which Programme Costs | 1,683.8 | 1,690.1 | 1,868.1 | n/a |
| of which Operating Costs | – | – | – | n/a |
| Capital | 2,294.7 | 2,385.1 | 2,483.4 | 2,494.5 |
| Financial Transactions (FTs) | (26.1) | (22.1) | (16.4) | (15.5) |
* The Trunk Road Network resource budget in 2027-28 and 2028-29 includes funding to deliver A9 dualling. Further resource funding for A9 dualling has been confirmed for 2029-30.