Scottish Greens free bus travel plans to benefit half a million Scots
More than half a million more young Scots would benefit from free bus travel if Scottish Green plans are approved as part of this year’s budget.
The Scottish Greens have called on the Scottish Government to extend free bus travel to everyone under 30, building on the 250 million free journeys taken by under 22 year olds as part of the groundbreaking scheme previously delivered by the Greens in 2021.
More than 500,000 young people would benefit from the change, including 110,000 in Glasgow and 84,000 in Edinburgh.
Scottish Greens spokesperson for transport, Mark Ruskell MSP said:
“The roll out of free bus travel for everyone under 22 is one of the clearest achievements of the Scottish Parliament to date.
“Thanks to this groundbreaking Green policy, hundreds of thousands of young people are able to jump on board Scotland’s buses for free - saving money, accessing new opportunities, and cutting emissions.
“But we all know the cost of living crisis doesn’t stop for people when they turn 22. Too many young workers are trapped in a cycle of soaring living costs and insecure work, and the last thing they should have to worry about is if they can afford the cost of their commute.
“That’s why, as part of this year’s budget, we’re calling on the Scottish Government to build on the success of the free bus scheme by extending it to everyone under 30. This expansion would give half a million more young people free bus travel in Scotland.
“Cheap public transport is a win-win for people and planet, and our project must be expanded to ensure that more people can choose to commute in a way that saves money and cuts congestion.”