Scottish Government must act now on free bus travel for asylum seekers rollout
There must be no more delays by the Scottish Government to finally deliver free bus travel for people seeking asylum, say the Scottish Greens.
Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell, the party spokesperson for transport, says that while the Government has repeatedly agreed the policy is the right thing to do, and the commitment made, it still hasn’t been delivered.
Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie recently wrote to Mark Ruskell confirming the Scottish Government will provide £2 million funding for the pilot scheme, however only with a vague deadline for implementation later this year.
Today in Parliament, Mark questioned the Minister for Equalities Kaukab Stewart on progress, however she was unable to provide a clear date for when the pilot would be delivered.
Advocates, campaigners, and refugee support organisations have long called for more tangible measures to support the wellbeing and integration of people seeking asylum - with free bus travel seen as a key and long-overdue step.
The Scottish Government first committed to expanding free bus travel to people seeking asylum in 2023. However, they scrapped the proposal in 2024 - only to be forced to bring it back as part of the Scottish Budget following negotiations with the Scottish Greens.
With this year’s Refugee Week highlighting compassion, solidarity, and community, Mark said there is no better time to act than now.
Mark said:
“It has been 2 years since the Scottish Government finally promised to provide free bus travel to people seeking asylum in Scotland. But committing to something is not the same as delivering it.
“People seeking asylum are banned from working and forced to survive on as little as £8 a day from the UK Government - an amount that barely covers a day ticket on many buses across Scotland.
“Imagine trying to survive, support your family, attend vital appointments, or go to school - all on just £8 a day. Most of us spend more than that on a sandwich or a coffee. Expecting people to build a new life in Scotland with no way to get around is simply unjust.“Every day of delay to this scheme is another day that people in need go without access to essentials. People stuck in an asylum system that forces them into poverty cannot wait another 2 years for this. The Scottish Government needs to give a clear timeline for when this scheme is finally going to be rolled out.
“If we truly believe in a Scotland that welcomes refugees, that supports those fleeing war and persecution, then we must back that up with real support. Delivering free bus travel isn’t just practical - it’s a statement of who we are and the kind of country we want to be.”