Free bus travel for under 22s to start in January
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All under 22s resident in Scotland will have access to free bus travel from January 31, 2022, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed, implementing a commitment agreed with the Scottish Green Party.
New research commissioned by Transport Scotland shows that almost two-thirds (61 per cent) of young Scots agree that access to public transport will play a central role in the fight against climate change.
The change means around 930,000 young people across Scotland will benefit from the change.
Transport Scotland research showed 70 per cent of young people indicate they would use public transport more frequently if it was free.
The Scottish Government has committed to removing the majority of fossil fuelled buses from public transport by 2023.
A Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce has been convened which brings bus operators, the supply chain, energy companies and financiers together to co-design a pathway to a fully zero-emission bus fleet.
Transport Scotland has made £50 million available to the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund, to further support the Scottish bus fleet to transition to zero emission.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We are committed to giving our young people the very best chances to succeed in life.
"The extension of free bus travel to all under 22s will improve access to education, leisure, and work, while supporting the adoption of sustainable travel behaviours early in their lives.
“Adopting more sustainable travel behaviour is vital if we are to reach our world-leading goal of reducing the number of kilometres travelled by car by 20 per cent by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions by 2045.”
Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, Patrick Harvie MSP said: “This transformational policy shows that our focus on tackling the climate emergency goes hand in hand with improving lives and tackling inequality.
"Free bus travel will open up opportunities for young people and ease pressure on family budgets while helping deliver the step-change we need to deliver on our climate commitments.
“Children and young people travelling for free on modern, zero-carbon electric buses is another step towards the fairer, greener Scotland we are committed to building.”
Paul Davies, president and managing director of Alexander Dennis said: “Scotland’s under 22s will have a unique opportunity to make sustainable travel choices with free bus travel across the country.
"COP26 is showing that future generations must be at the heart of climate policy and the Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme is an excellent example of forward-looking policy in action. "
Free travel for residents of Scotland aged five-21 will be accessed by the National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC from January 31,2022.
Information on the application process for existing cardholders and new users will be available on the Transport Scotland website in due course. Children aged 0-4 already travel for free on commercial bus services.
