"The role of the Confederation of Passenger Transport - Scotland" by George Mair, Director CPT Scotland Edinburgh meeting of 9 April 2013

The Confederation of Passenger Transport had its origin in the Tramways Institute founded in 1890 which in 1897 became the Tramway & Light Rail Association, then in 1902 the Municipal Tramways Association. In 1921 a Scottish Tramway Association was formed, in 1939 there was a Municipal Passenger Transport Association, in 1943 a Public Transport Association and in 1970 an Association of Public Passenger Transport Operations before in 1974 the emergence of the Confederation of British Road Passenger Transport and in 1992 the Bus and Coach Council which led in 1994 into the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK representing tram, metro and light rail and on the bus side national, PTE, local authority, coach and independent operators.

CPT is thus the lead voice in promoting the interests of the UK's coach, bus and light rail operators, and has offices in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and each of the English regions. Its 1200 members include 100 in Scotland, operating over 90% of the commercial mileage ranging from Yell and Ullapool to Earlston.

CPT firmly believes in the virtues of partnership working, and provides a forum for consultation and negotiation at UK and European level. It offers members support and advice on local regulation, operator practice and engineering standards. It helps ensure good relations with ministers, politicians,policy advisers and industry stakeholders, and recently led for the industry in the Scottish Government's review of the national concession reimbursement process and protected members' interests during renegotiation of the Bus Service Operators' Grant.

Different systems operate in other parts of the UK, so CPT can keep Scottish ministers informed of best practice elsewhere. Work with Regional Transport Authorities has included helping SPT to develop Fastlink, and CPT has been proud to play a small part in the evolution of Traveline Scotland.

Liaison with external groups sees CPT in regular contact with Bus Users UK, Passenger Focus, VOSA, SCOTS, ATCO and COSLA. Its online compliance manual helps members to ensure that they are fully compliant with current legislative requirements, and it provides them also with regular operating and technical briefings. This year's CPT Scottish conference will be held at Crieff Hydro on 9/10 September, with as its theme a Framework for Growth and a keynote address by the Scottish Minister for Transport and Veterans."

Report by John Yellowlees.