Green Travel Plan and Strategy

QMU place a great deal of importance on the health of both staff and students. Research has clearly demonstrated the links between physical exercise and both physical and mental health, and one of the benefits of the green travel plan is in supporting active travel not just as a means of transport, but also as a form of exercise and relaxation.

Supporting healthy lifestyles is also the rationale behind flexible working and work/life balance initiatives, which have the added benefit of reducing unnecessary car use, with condensed hours and work from home days becoming standard.

Updates to the travel plan and allied parking policy are a result of travel surveys which are taken each year as part of the monitoring and evaluation process. The 2019/20 survey included 40 questions regarding the current travel patterns of students and staff and the potential for change.

There were 367 respondents to this survey, both students and staff. The annual surveys provide an important consultative tool to ensure that the Green Travel Plan (GTP) takes into account not only legislative changes, but also the comments and suggestions of the QMU community. As can be seen in this map, students and staff travel from all over Scotland.

Aims and Targets

It is the aim of the university to maintain its pioneering status, being an exemplar of sustainable best practice in Higher Education institutions. The aim of the GTP is to support the university in this strategy by encouraging sustainable travel choice and delivering a decrease in single occupancy car use across the university community.

Modal Split

Given the proximity of Musselburgh railway station to the campus, it is not surprising that rail is the second most used mode of transport in the 2019/20 Travel Survey (26%). With bus stops on campus, bus travel was the second most popular use at 24/%.

There are a number of limiting factors restricting the growth of rail travel, this includes timetabling issues and individuals relying on connecting services. The Newcraighall station has greater capacity but is a less attractive option, requiring a 20 minute walk.

QMU has joined the Rail Action Group for East Scotland (RAGES) and will continue to lobby at the highest level for service improvements.

Public transport accounts for half of the mode share. The active travel mode share is at its highest level at 21%. This change may be due to the increased focus of active travel on campus. The single occupancy driving mode share, although higher than last year is still a drop from the 2017/18 levels. This shows positive trends in sustainable mode share for Queen Margaret University.

Queen Margaret University is reachable from a number of areas, including: Fife, Edinburgh, Currie, Newbridge, Dalkeith, Loanhead, Gorebridge and a number of areas within East Lothian.

For information on the Staff Loan Scheme for Public Transport, please email payroll@qmu.ac.uk.

Edinburgh

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2020)

For more information visit Lothian Buses and Horsburgh Coaches.

Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit scotrail.co.uk.

Edinburgh Trams

For more information visit Edinburgh Trams. 

Single: £1.80
Return: £3.60
Monthly cost: £56.00

(City Zone Prices)

Fife

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Services detailed below terminate in Edinburgh City Centre. See 'Edinburgh' information above for connections to QMU. 

For more information see Stagecoach Buses

Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit scotrail.co.uk.

West Lothian

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Services detailed below terminate in Edinburgh City Centre. See 'Edinburgh' information above for connections to QMU. 

For more information see First Group

Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit scotrail.co.uk.

East Lothian

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

For more information see Prentice Buses.

Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit scotrail.co.uk.

Midlothian

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Some services detailed below terminate in Edinburgh City Centre. See 'Edinburgh' information above for connections to QMU.

For more information visit Lothian Buses.

Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit scotrail.co.uk. 

Borders

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Services detailed below terminate in Edinburgh City Centre. See 'Edinburgh' information above for connections to QMU.

For more information visit Borders Buses.

Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit scotrail.co.uk. 

West Scotland

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Services detailed below terminate in Edinburgh City Centre. See 'Edinburgh' information above for connections to QMU.

For more information visit First Group and Citylink. 

Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit scotrail.co.uk. 

One of the main aims of the GTP is to reduce the level of single occupancy vehicles travelling to QMU. This aim is not focused on discouraging care use but rather encouraging people to travel more sustainably. If staff and students still choose to travel by car they will be encourages to car share rather than to not drive.

Car sharing offers many benefits to individuals, these include:

• Save money by sharing travel costs (fuel and parking)
• Reduce the stress of driving by sharing the weight with others
• Reduces congestion by contributing to less cars on the roads
• Be Sustainable and help the environment as car-sharing can reduce CO2 emissions

Would you be interested in finding someone to share your journey with to Queen Margaret University? Join our Liftshare community!

The University has use of two Enterprise Car Club vehicles:

Ford Fiesta – petrol
Nissan Leaf – electric

You can take advantage of using these vehicles now and register today.

Why not give it a go? It is a cost effective alternative to taxis. It may also reduce the need for you to use your own vehicle, if you need to travel for an offsite meeting.

Cycling is a great way of getting to QMU! The University is located within close proximity to the National Cycle Route 1, which connects to the Centre of Edinburgh and the Route 76 which runs east through Prestonpans, Haddington and Dunbar.

The following facilities are available to cyclists on the campus and surrounding:

• Lockers (located on level 1 of the main academic building)
• Parking (3 secured locker sheds at accommodation and 1 for regular cyclists)
• Secure bike lockers (installed behind the bus stop and at accommodation)
• Showers & changing rooms (located on level one in main building and available in the sports centre)
• Emergency maintenance kits (available at reception)
• Dr.Bike sessions (15 minutes bicycle repair for minor problems, monthly)

The QMU cycling community is active on Instagram, Facebook, Cycle Connections and the Cycling at Queen Margaret University Facebook group.

Cycle Maps

Edinburgh City Council

East Lothian

Sustrans Cycle Network

Cycle Streets Journey Planner

Go E-bike

GO e-Bike hubs are now open in East Lothian and Midlothian. They are part of a mini network cycle stations with state-of-the-art e-Bikes. Your nearest hub is at Musselburgh Train Station, find where other hubs are located here.

Anyone can access the electric assist bikes in 5 easy steps:

1. Download the Go Ebike App to your smart phone 
2.  Select the right membership for you - daily, monthly or annual memberships are available
3. Use the app to unlock a bike from the stand
4. Start your adventure -  your membership covers 30minute rides before needing to be docked at a station
5. Finish your ride by finding a docking station and pushing the front wheel into the stand

To find out more about pricing or journey lengths visit: Goebike.uk

Cycle Connections Bike Hire Scheme & E-bikes

The university has a fleet of over 20 hybrid bikes for hire. This is a healthier and cheaper alternative to using the car, bus or train services. The following tariffs apply to the bike hire scheme:

All hires include a £50 deposit that will be returned.

Queen Margaret University has 2 electric bikes for hire to staff. These can be hired for a short term hire during the normal working hours (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm).

These are FREE for university staff to use and are a perfect alternative to using taxis and cars for work-related travel.

For more information please contact: assist@qmu.ac.uk.

Queen Margaret is within walking distance of a number of local residential areas.

For more information on walking within and around Queen Margaret University, please visit Get to QMU - By Bike or Foot.

Keep an eye out for when Dr Bike will be on campus to do maintenance checks on bicycles!

There will bike maintenance sessions held on the University’s campus within the main courtyard. Dates of these will be posted in the following locations:

• The Cycle Connections Facebook page
• Student Website
• Cafeteria virtual display boards
• Poster at bicycle stands

The Dr Bike sessions will be held next to the bicycle racks outside the Craighall and Student Union Buildings. More information on Dr Bike

For further information on parking, please see the relevant pages on the website, Parking on Campus

The Newcraighall, Wallyford and Sheriffhall Park & Rides all have FREE parking.