A recent survey on Scotland’s transport and travel habits, published by Transport Scotland, indicates that 64% of people were very or fairly satisfied with public transport in 2025. This figure matches the satisfaction levels recorded in 2023 and 2024, but is a decrease from the 68% recorded in 2019, prior to the pandemic.
Satisfaction rates were found to be higher among those who actively use public transport, such as bus or train services within the past month, with 70% reporting satisfaction. Conversely, satisfaction was lower for individuals residing in rural areas. Those living in remote rural and accessible rural areas reported satisfaction rates of 42% and 45% respectively, contrasting sharply with the 74% satisfaction rate reported by residents in large urban areas.
The survey also highlighted that 70% of respondents found their transport costs easy to afford in 2025, an increase from 64% in 2022 when this question was first introduced. Furthermore, there has been an increase in bus and rail usage. Bus use in the past month rose to 43% of respondents, returning to pre-pandemic levels, while train usage increased to 33% from 31% in 2024, though daily train use remains below pre-pandemic figures.
Overall, half of all journeys (50%) reported by survey respondents were made as the driver of a car or van. Walking accounted for 28% of journeys, making it the second most popular mode of transport.
