FMQs: SNP urged to back Green call for £2 bus fare cap
Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie has urged the First Minister to back his party’s calls for a £2 bus fare cap as part of this year’s budget process.
A similar policy has been in place in England since 2023, with single journeys capped at £2, saving regular commuters hundreds of pounds and increasing bus use.
This would build on the success of free bus travel for everyone under 22, which was secured by the Scottish Greens and has resulted in 730,000 young people taking 140 million free bus journeys since it was introduced in 2022.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Mr Harvie said:
“The First Minister has said his priorities include tackling the climate emergency. Driving down emissions from transport will be a key part of achieving that.
“That’s why, during our time in Government, the Scottish Greens cut the cost of public transport, with free bus travel for under 22s and scrapping peak-time rail fares, because we know that cutting fares is critical to driving up public transport use, and driving down transport emissions.
“But instead of continuing that work, the First Minister has brought back peak rail fares, undermining climate action and increasing the cost of living.
“The Scottish Greens have now set out plans for a national bus fare cap, to ensure that nobody pays more than £2 for their regular bus journey.
“Can the First Minister see that public transport costs need to come down, and will he commit now to making this happen?”