Let's demand better buses
The Scottish Greens have today pledged to bring Scotland’s buses back under public control and expand free bus travel to everyone, as part of a plan to cut household costs and tackle the climate crisis.
After four decades of privatised bus services, too many people are paying more and getting less. Routes have been cut, fares have risen, and communities have been left behind while private bus companies put profit first.
Under Green plans, Scotland’s buses would be brought back under public control, with more support for community run services. This would mean that local people would be given more say over the routes they rely on every day.
One way that the party will support this is by giving the public the chance to invest in their local bus services through the issuing of Scottish Bus Bonds.
Public ownership of bus services would end the scandal of private bus bosses raking in millions in public subsidies while passengers are left with rising fares and worsening services.
Scottish Greens co-leader, Ross Greer said:
“For too long, Scotland’s bus network has been treated as a cash cow by private owners, while passengers are left dealing with unreliable services, shrinking timetables and rising fares. The Scottish Greens will end that scandal and put passengers first through public ownership.
“Our fragmented and often unreliable bus services are geared towards raking in money from passengers, councils and government and handing it to company directors and shareholders. Providing a good service often comes a distant second.
“Too many workers are struggling to afford their commute and whole communities are being left stranded while private bus companies hike fares, slash routes and put profit before people.
“Other parties have just accepted this broken transport system, but the Scottish Greens are demanding better.”
The party’s manifesto also commits to free bus travel for all, building on the success of free bus travel for everyone under 22, which was previously secured by the Scottish Greens.
Ross added:
“Green MSPs have already shown that free bus travel works. Our free bus travel scheme for young people has opened up new opportunities and put money back into people’s pockets.
“Now, it is time to go further. We want to bring Scotland’s buses back into public hands and end the scandal of passengers paying through their nose to line the pockets of billionaire company owners.
“Scotland deserves better and at this election we can all demand better. Every vote for the Scottish Greens is a vote for a better bus network, one that puts passengers before profit.”
