£2 bus fare cap should be rolled out to all of Scotland
The Scottish Greens have welcomed the rollout of the £2 bus fare cap across Strathclyde, but said the scheme must now be expanded across Scotland as a matter of urgency.
The £2 bus fare cap was secured by the Scottish Greens in budget negotiations in 2024, beginning with a pilot across the Highlands and Islands and saving regular bus users hundreds of pounds.
Now, the policy is being extended to bus services across Strathclyde, bringing cheaper fares to people across one of Scotland’s biggest regions.
The Scottish Greens say there is no reason for passengers elsewhere in Scotland to wait any longer, and are calling for the cap to be rolled out nationwide as quickly as possible.
Scottish Greens Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“The Scottish Greens fought hard for the introduction of the £2 bus fare cap, and I am delighted that it will be making a real difference to people and families in Strathclyde.
“This is exactly what Green politics can deliver, putting money back in people’s pockets, helping us to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and making it easier for people to choose public transport.
“But we cannot stop here. People across Scotland should not have to pay more for their bus simply because of where they live. We want everyone in every community to feel the benefit of this as soon as possible.
“The Scottish Greens secured this policy in the first place, and we’re now determined to see it rolled out across the whole of Scotland as quickly as possible.
“With household budgets under pressure and the climate emergency demanding urgent action, making buses cheaper is a simple and effective step. A £2 fare cap helps regular commuters to save money while encouraging them to leave the car at home.
“We have already shown what is possible with free bus travel for young people. The £2 bus fare cap is the next step towards a public transport system that is free and accessible to everyone, and ultimately brought back into public control.
“The expansion to Strathclyde is a major step forward, but it must not become an excuse for further delay elsewhere. The Scottish Government should get on with rolling out the £2 fare cap across Scotland.”