Scottish Labour's Rowley challenges SNP to cap bus fares

Scottish Labour has challenged the SNP to “save Scotland’s buses” and cap fares ahead of a Parliamentary debate on the issue.

The party will today (Wednesday 17) force a vote in Holyrood demanding a cap on bus fares and action to prevent routes being slashed.

Bus passenger numbers have plummeted by more than 50 per cent under the SNP, while Scotland’s bus fleet has fallen by 1,700.

Services have come under even more pressure as Covid support funding came to an end, with passengers currently being hit by eye-watering fare hikes of up to 15 per cent and communities across Scotland facing cuts to lifeline routes.

Labour warned that bus networks in parts of Scotland were at risk of being “wiped out” and demanded a cap on fares to help people struggling with the cost of living crisis and to encourage more people to use buses.

The party accused the SNP of being “missing in action” and called on them to set out their plan to prevent cuts and to ensure that Councils are equipped to use the powers they have to run and regulate local services.

Commenting, Scottish Labour Transport spokesperson Alex Rowley said “Scotland’s bus networks are on the brink of collapse, but the SNP is missing in action.

“Passengers are being hit with eye-watering fare hikes in the middle of a cost of living crisis, while those with bus passes are struggling to find a bus to use it on.

“In parts of the country lifeline bus networks are at risk of getting wiped out – devastating communities, damaging our economy and threatening our climate targets.

“The SNP must back this motion and act now to save Scotland’s buses.”

ENDS

Notes

Alex Rowley S6M-08954

Access to Bus Services

That the Parliament believes that reliable, accessible and affordable public transport is a key lifeline service in Scotland; believes that public investment in passenger transport should deliver value for money, environmental and social benefits; notes the recent bus fare rises across the country that are hitting during a cost of living crisis; further notes that these come on the back of route cancellations across much of Scotland that are isolating communities; believes that local authorities must be fully supported, empowered and resourced in their role regarding local public transport, and calls on the Scottish Government to support the introduction of a cap on bus fares across Scotland and set out what action it will take to stop the cuts to bus services on routes across Scotland.

Scottish Transport Statistics:
https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/scottish-transport-statistics-2022-pdf-only-version/

Table 2.2a: Passenger journeys on local bus services (millions)

Table 2.1a: Public Service Vehicle characteristics

Confirmed bus fare increases this year:

• First Glasgow – 9%
• Stagecoach Highland – 12%
• Stagecoach West of Scotland – 15%
• Stagecoach East of Scotland – 15%

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65165906