Scotland Eyes Free Bus Travel Expansion Plan

Scottish Greens propose expanding free bus travel to low-income adults after under-22s program success

Scotland Eyes Free Bus Travel Expansion Plan

Scotland's free bus travel program for under-22s could expand to include low-income adults, according to a proposal from the Scottish Greens. Lorna Slater, Scottish Greens candidate, said the existing program has proven successful since its implementation, with tens of millions of journeys made in its first year. The expansion would target adults facing transport costs as barriers to employment and essential services, officials said.

Context

The under-22s free bus travel scheme has reduced costs for families during the cost of living crisis while supporting young people in accessing education and employment, according to program data. The policy has encouraged younger riders to choose more sustainable travel options, transit officials said. The Scottish Greens helped deliver the under-22s program during their time in government, though specific implementation dates for any expansion weren't provided. Transit agencies typically evaluate fare programs based on ridership patterns, budget capacity, and social equity goals.

Details

Slater highlighted Lothian Buses in Edinburgh as an example of successful publicly owned bus services that deliver reliable and affordable routes. The proposed expansion would focus on adults on low incomes who face transport costs as barriers to jobs and services, she said. Officials didn't specify income thresholds for eligibility or estimate how many additional riders would qualify for free travel. The policy aims to ensure services run in the public interest rather than for private profit, providing better outcomes for passengers and communities, according to the proposal.

Timeline

Officials haven't announced a timeline for when the expanded free bus travel program might be implemented. The Scottish Greens said they believe Scotland has the chance to lead in building an accessible, affordable, and climate-friendly transport system, though specific legislative steps or funding mechanisms weren't detailed. Transit agencies typically require several months of planning before launching major fare policy changes.

Impact

The expanded policy would help reduce car use and invest in cleaner, greener ways to travel, officials said. Slater argued that expanding free bus travel is about building a fairer Scotland where opportunity isn't determined by the price of a ticket. Riders can track Scottish bus routes and service updates through Moovit, which provides real-time transit information for planning journeys across Scotland's public transport network.