1. Vision

A seamless, sustainable, and inclusive transport network that connects every corner of the Celtic Nations, empowers people of all ages and abilities, and drives the transition to a low‑carbon economy.

2. Concessionary & Free Travel

Target groups

All residents aged ≥ 60 (and qualifying disabled persons) in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Students and low‑income households.

Actions

Extend existing free‑bus schemes to a Celtic Concessionary Travel Pass that works on any public‑service bus, tram or local rail across the three nations. This gives uniform entitlement regardless of which nation the traveller is in.

Introduce a Celtic Youth & Equality Pass offering free or heavily discounted travel on buses, trams and commuter rail during off‑peak periods.

Expected impact

Around one million additional journeys per year, cutting car trips and reducing social isolation for older adults.

Better access to education and employment for younger people, leading to higher public‑transport uptake among students and low‑income families.

3. Bus Services & Infrastructure

Investment – £650 million over the next five years, shared proportionally by the three governments.

Key measures

Fleet modernisation – Replace roughly 70 % of diesel buses with electric or hydrogen‑fuelled models and brand them as “Celtic Green Bus” to raise public awareness.

Infrastructure upgrades – Build dedicated bus lanes on major corridors such as Dublin‑Cork, Glasgow‑Edinburgh and Cardiff‑Swansea. Upgrade about 1 500 bus stops with real‑time information displays, weather‑protected shelters and universal‑access ramps.

Service frequency – Guarantee a minimum ten‑minute headway on high‑demand urban routes and at least an hourly service on rural links.

Digital ticketing – Launch a single Celtic Transport Card (contactless, mobile‑app compatible) that works on any bus, tram or train across the three nations.

4. Rail – Public‑Sector Franchising & Integration

Goal – Bring rail provision under public‑sector control and create a fully integrated Celtic rail network.

Actions

Enact a Celtic Rail Act (modelled on Scotland’s 2016 legislation) giving the Celtic Parliament authority to award public‑sector rail contracts, prioritising service quality over profit.

Develop a Celtic Intercity Service linking Dublin‑Glasgow‑Cardiff via existing ferry routes, with standardised ticketing and coordinated timetables.

Electrification & decarbonisation – Electrify roughly 1 200 km of track, including the Dublin‑Belfast, Glasgow‑Edinburgh and South Wales Main Lines, and deploy hydrogen‑powered regional trains on routes that cannot be electrified.

Capacity and speed upgrades – Implement European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 signalling to enable faster, more reliable services and aim for average inter‑city speeds of about 120 km/h by 2035.

5. Ferry & Lifeline Services

Areas covered – Western Isles, Hebrides, Aran Islands and Anglesey; Clyde‑Hebrides and Irish Sea corridors.

Commitments

Keep all lifeline ferry routes in public ownership, prohibiting privatisation.

Introduce a Celtic Ferry Pass that is free for concessionary travellers and discounted for residents.

Invest £150 million in newer, lower‑emission vessels (electric or hybrid) and increase frequency on key routes such as Belfast‑Dublin‑Glasgow to support tourism and commerce.

Synchronise ferry timetables with rail and bus services through a unified digital scheduling platform.

6. Active Travel – Cycling & Walking

Objective – Reduce car kilometres by 20 % by 2030 (baseline measured in 2025).

Initiatives

Build 200 km of protected “cycle superhighways” linking major cities (e.g., Dublin‑Cork, Glasgow‑Edinburgh, Cardiff‑Newport).

Expand “15‑Minute Neighborhoods” with safe, well‑lit walking routes and bike‑share stations.

Install segregated cycle lanes on roughly three‑quarters of arterial roads and introduce traffic‑calming measures such as speed‑reduction zones and raised pedestrian crossings in residential areas.

Offer tax credits for the purchase of e‑bikes and cargo bikes, and launch a Celtic Active Travel Challenge that rewards communities achieving the greatest modal shift.

7. Accessibility & Disabled Travel

All new transport projects will adhere to the highest standards of universal design.

Key measures

Barrier‑free vehicles – Every new bus, tram and train must feature low‑floor entry, secure wheelchair spaces, audible announcements and tactile signage.

Real‑time assistance – Integrate a mobile‑app feature that lets passengers request on‑demand assistance such as a ramp or staff aide.

Retrofit funding – Allocate £30 million over five years to upgrade legacy fleets and stations for full accessibility.

Policy commitment – Enshrine the right to “travel with dignity” in the Celtic Union Charter and create an independent Accessibility Oversight Board to monitor compliance.

8. Environmental Targets

By 2035

Net‑zero transport emissions – Limit transport‑related CO₂e to 5 % of total emissions through electrification, modal shift and renewable fuels.

Zero‑emission public fleet – Achieve 100 % electric or hydrogen buses and trams, and ensure at least 80 % of regional rail is powered by electricity.

Renewable energy for ferries – Power at least half of ferry routes with electric or hybrid vessels.

Carbon‑offset programme – Link ticket sales to community‑led tree‑planting and habitat‑restoration projects under a “Travel Green” scheme.

9. Funding & Governance

Sources of financing

Celtic Transport Fund (jointly administered) – Supplies 55 % of capital spend, matched by each national treasury.

UK & EU climate grants – Contribute roughly 30 %, targeting decarbonisation projects.

Private‑sector partnerships – Provide the remaining 15 %, limited to non‑core service contracts such as technology provision.

Governance structure – A Celtic Transport Authority with equal representation from Ireland, Scotland and Wales will oversee planning, procurement and performance monitoring for all transport initiatives.

10. Key Deliverables (2027‑2031)

2027 – Launch the Celtic Transport Card, begin rolling out 250 electric buses and enact the Celtic Rail Act.

2028 – Complete the first phase of protected cycle superhighways (about 50 km) and introduce free concessionary ferry passes.

2029 – Electrify 400 km of rail and commission the first hybrid ferry serving the Hebrides‑Isle of Man corridor.

2030 – Achieve a 15 % reduction in car kilometres and fully integrate ticketing across bus, rail and ferry services.

2031 – Reach 30 % zero‑emission public‑fleet vehicles and award the inaugural “Celtic Active Travel Challenge” winners.