ChatGPT said:Scottish Travel Levels Recover, But Public Transport Satisfaction Remains Below Pre-Pandemic Standards

Travel in Scotland has bounced back to the levels seen before the pandemic, yet passenger satisfaction with public transport continues to lag, according to the 2024 Transport and Travel in Scotland survey.

The survey revealed that 73% of respondents had travelled the day before being interviewed, up from 64% in 2023 and matching figures from 2019. Driving remains the most common mode of transport, representing 51% of trips, followed by walking at 25%. Passengers in cars or vans accounted for 12%, bus journeys 7%, and rail travel just 2%.

Home working has declined slightly, from 29% in 2023 to 25% in 2024, though it remains above pre-pandemic levels of 16%.

Public transport satisfaction showed little change, with 64% of respondents reporting they were very or fairly satisfied, the same as in 2023. While this marks an improvement from 58% in 2022, it remains below the pre-pandemic rate of 68%. Satisfaction was lowest in rural areas, where only 41–43% of people in accessible and remote rural regions reported being satisfied, compared with 75% in major urban centres.

Cycling and active travel also saw a dip, with just 1.4% of trips under five miles made by bike in 2024, down from 2.1% in 2023.

The survey underscores that although travel activity has returned to pre-pandemic levels, improving public transport experiences—particularly in rural areas—and promoting active travel remain key priorities.