In line with legislation, SPT is required to report progress on how we are meeting the UK Equality Act General Equality Duty and the Scottish Government’s Specific Equality Duties every two years.

This includes reporting on how we are mainstreaming equality in our everyday activities and setting Equality Outcomes that will help us better perform the general duty.

In 2021 SPT set five Equality Outcomes which were grounded in the key deep seated equality issues within public transport.  An evidence-based review of these Outcomes has shown they remain relevant with minor amendments.  Advancing Equality Report 2025 sets how we reached decision along with our other reporting requirements.

The report sets out SPT’s Equality Outcomes for 2025 onwards and demonstrates progress made between April 2023 and March 2025 regarding the advancement of equality, elimination of discrimination and promotion of good relations with particular reference to the reporting requirements set out in the Specific Duties, namely:

• mainstreaming the “Equality Duties”;
• meeting SPT’s equality outcomes;
• gathering and using employee information, including how this has enabled SPT to better perform the “Equality Duties”; and
• publishing gender pay gap information.

Further employee information can be found in the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Report 2025 (PDF, 1.3MB).

This report provides information on the protected characteristics of our staff and it covers current status with regard to overall staff profile and main job categories, recruitment and selection, new starters and leavers, promotions and learning and development.

Gender pay gap information can be found in the Advancing Equality Pay Gap Update 2025  (PDF, 777 kb).

This report provides detailed analysis of SPT’s gender pay gap to supplement SPT’s Advancing Equality Report 2025.

Barriers to use of the transport network can affect people’s ability to access everyday services and opportunities including employment, education, health services and social networks widening inequalities experienced by people who share relevant protected

Our first four equality outcomes have been identified in response to key barriers experienced in accessing the transport network, specifically the accessibility, affordability and availability of transport and safety and security while using the public transport network and relate to addressing these barriers through the services we provide.

• SPT facilities and services are more accessible for older and disabled people.
• People have improved knowledge of and access to best value public transport tickets.
• Our passengers’ differing needs are better reflected in how we plan and deliver transport services.
• People feel safer when using public transport and feel confident reporting harassment, violence or discrimination when this does occur.

Our final equality outcome is in relation to the diversity of our organisation.

• SPT’s workforce demographic reflects the SPT area, helping us to better understand the needs of our communities.