Following consultation, the Scottish Government is making
preparations to extend free bus travel to all young people
under the age of 19 who reside in Scotland.
Draft legislation has now been laid which, if approved by the
Scottish Parliament, will enable arrangements to be put in
place for the scheme to start operating as soon as practicable
during the financial year 2021-22
Extending free bus travel to approximately 770,000 young people
will deliver on parliamentary budget agreements and was a
commitment outlined in the 2020 Programme for Government. Once
the scheme starts, young people under the age of 19 will join
the third of Scotland’s population who already benefit from
free bus travel.
The same legislation will also extend the existing National
Concessionary Travel Scheme to eligible disabled children under
the age of five, allowing free travel for a companion
accompanying them.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and
Connectivity
said:
“By progressing our commitment to introduce free bus travel to
young people under 19, the Scottish Government is strengthening
its response to the climate emergency, supporting our green
recovery and working to reduce inequalities.
“This is in keeping with our National Transport Strategy which
aims to advance equality of opportunity and take action to
protect our climate. With young people having been
disproportionately impacted as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic, it’s right that we begin preparing to build back
better as restrictions ease over the coming year.
“Not only is this good news for young people, it’s good news
for bus operators. They will see increased patronage from
future generations, who will be able to freely discover the
convenience of sustainable bus travel in accessing education,
employment and for leisure.
“The Scottish Government believes in our young people and in
public transport. In addition to embedding more sustainable
travel behaviour at an earlier age, we’re offering this support
to reduce barriers created by transport costs so that our young
people can achieve their fullest potential.”
BACKGROUND
Transport Scotland publicly consulted on proposals to provide
concessionary bus travel to people under age 19. This opened on
26 October 2020 and closed on 7 December 2020. A total of 3075
responses were received, 97% from individuals and 3% from
organisations. Of the individual responses, 19% indicated they
were young people under the age of 19, 55% indicated they were
parents or carers of young people under the age of 19, and 14%
indicated they work or volunteer with people under age 19 (for
example as a teacher, educator or social worker).
A broad range of interests were represented among the
organisations that responded. This included local authorities
and other public bodies, Regional Transport Partnerships, bus
operators and community transport providers, educational
establishments, access panels, and organisations in the third
sector, including several that support children and young
people, as well as environmental charities.
The consultation sought views in response to nine questions
spread across four themes: scheme objectives and eligibility;
delivery options; assessing impact; and other considerations.
The proposals received a positive response. 91% of respondents
agreed that the proposal would contribute towards objectives to
increase opportunities and reduce inequalities for children and
young people. Positive responses focussed on improved access to
employment and education opportunities, removing cost of travel
as an obstacle, especially for those in low (or no) income
households.
