The Scottish National Party (SNP) has unveiled plans to expand free bus travel to over half of Scotland’s population, a move projected to cost taxpayers approximately £127 million annually. Currently, around 42 percent of Scots benefit from free travel, translating to an annual expenditure of about £430 million from the public purse. If approved, the proposal would extend eligibility to an additional 680,000 adults living in relative poverty, defined as those earning less than around £23,000 per year.
This initiative, developed by Transport Scotland (TS) and Public Health Scotland (PHS), aims to make public transport more accessible, potentially allowing nearly three million people to utilize bus services without cost. However, critics have voiced concerns regarding the sustainability of such a scheme, arguing that it could lead to increased taxes or significant cuts to other essential public services.
Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy criticized the plan, stating that the SNP’s management of public finances raises doubts about the feasibility of expanding free bus passes. “An expansion on this scale would undoubtedly result in more punishing tax rises for hard-pressed Scots or savage cuts to other public services,” Hoy remarked. He emphasized the need for a focus on delivering affordable and reliable public transport across Scotland, particularly in rural areas.
The proposal comes from a coalition of senior figures within Scottish Government agencies, including Dr. Margaret Douglas, a leading consultant at PHS, and Paul Sloan, TS’s head of research. Their assessment highlighted the importance of bus concessionary schemes, noting that many low-income individuals who could benefit are currently ineligible. The study, published in the journal *Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives*, asserted that the current policy does not adequately serve those most in need.
Currently, individuals under 22 years of age, those aged 60 and older, and recipients of disability benefits qualify for free bus travel, with approximately 2.3 million Scots holding a bus pass. The study advocates for an expansion of the concessionary schemes, prioritizing the 20 percent of working-age people living in relative poverty.
The estimated £127 million yearly cost of this proposed extension would add to the existing financial burden on the Scottish Government, which has already allocated around £12 million to temporary initiatives aimed at improving accessibility until April. These initiatives include a programme for asylum seekers and a trial capping fares at £2 across several regions, including the Highlands and Islands, Moray, and Argyll and Bute.
While the Scottish Government has not yet commented on this latest recommendation, discussions are ongoing regarding the upcoming Scottish Budget. Ministers are reportedly considering a proposal from the Scottish Greens to extend free bus travel to all individuals under 30 years of age.
As the debate continues, the implications of such a significant policy change will undoubtedly affect the landscape of public transport in Scotland, raising questions about funding, accessibility, and the management of public resources.
