Scottish bus open data
What is bus open data?
Bus open data (or “BOD”) means information about buses and bus routes which is published, free of charge and electronically, by bus operators. Information such as the fare for a specific journey, real time information about where the bus currently is, the route, the timetable and on board information (such as the availability of accessible spaces) are all examples of BOD. We believe that by making this kind of information ‘open’, people will be better able to make informed decisions about using public transport, for example, by being able to compare fares between two different operators, or to know exactly where on a route their bus currently is.
The Scottish Government Open Data Strategy, defines open data:
Open data is non-personal and non-commercially sensitive data. Open data is easily discoverable, accessible to anyone and able to be freely used, re-used and redistributed by anyone. Open Data is data made available, via the internet, in an electronic format which supports its ready re-use, and with open licensing which allows its reuse.”
Why are we consulting?
In 2019 the Scottish Government brought in new primary legislation for transport (the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019), which included new provisions to better define bus open data, and to require it be shared for the new purpose of directly informing passengers (or potential passengers) about services. We believe that bus open data is essential to make travel on public transport more accessible, and to increase patronage of public transport in Scotland.
We intend to introduce new supporting legislation, known as Regulations (or ‘Secondary Legislation’) which define what specific information is required to be published, when, and in what format. This will allow for consistency across Scotland and will help us align with changes already underway in the wider UK.
This will directly affect bus operators in Scotland, as well as bus passengers and potential bus passengers, and may also be of interest to other groups whose members have an interest in bus operations in Scotland.
In order to progress this legislation, we are seeking views from all interested parties on the timescale for implementation, the detail of the prescribed information to be provided, any guidance or support needs the sector may have, the data format and schedule of the information and the types of services these requirements will apply to. We are keen to hear both technical views on the data format, and passenger (user) views on which information should be included.
Why Your Views Matter
Bus open data (or “BOD”) means information about buses and bus routes which is published, free of charge and electronically, by bus operators. Information such as the fare for a specific journey, real time information about where the bus currently is, the route, the timetable and on board information (such as the availability of accessible spaces) are all examples of BOD. We believe that by making this kind of information ‘open’, people will be better able to make informed decisions about using public transport, for example, by being able to compare fares between two different operators, or to know exactly where on a route their bus currently is.
In order to ensure that these new requirements have the best possible impact on passengers, potential passengers and the sector overall, we are seeking your views to help shape the specific requirements and standards that will be required.
Contents
- Why are we consulting on bus open data?
- What information will be required?
- Background and context
- Elsewhere in the UK
- What problems are we trying to address?
- Your views
- S1 Type of services
- S2 Use and disclosure of information
- S3 The prescribed information
- S4 Training, compliance and enforcement
- S5 Timescales
- S6 Data standards
Consultation in PDF format
Responding to this consultation
This consultation will run for a standard 12 week period, closing on 21 June 2025.
How to respond
We have created a number of ways for you to engage with this consultation. You can respond online, by email or by post. Details on how you can do this are highlighted below:
Respond to the consultation online
You can save and return to your response at any time while the consultation is open. Please ensure that your response is submitted before the consultation closes at midnight on 21 June 2025
You will automatically be emailed a copy of your response after you submit it. If you choose this method, you will be directed to complete the Respondent Information Form, which lets us know how you wish your response to be handled and whether you are happy for it to be made public.
Respond to the consultation online
Send us your response in an email to Kat.Quane@transport.scot.
Please include a completed Respondent Information Form.
Post
Send your response to:
Smart and Integrated Ticketing Team
Transport Scotland
George House
2nd Floor, 36 Hanover Street
Glasgow G1 2AD
The deadline for responses is 21 June 2025.
Need assistance?
If you need support in answering this consultation or have a query about the consultation process, you can send your query to: Kat.Quane@transport.gov.scot or in writing to the postal address provided above for postal consultation responses.
Next Steps
After the consultation has closed, we will analyse all of the responses received and use your feedback to help develop the final Implementation Plan. We will also publish responses at Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space, where we have been given permission to do.
The responses to the consultation and analysis will be published in due course.