MP's welcome for scrapping of bus fares for young people

The move aims to cut emissions and improve access to study and jobs.

The Scottish Government announced recently that from January 31, all five – 21-year-olds will be able to travel free, extending the scheme to around 930,000 young people.

Residents of Scotland wilthing that age group will be able to access free buses by using a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC.

The Scottish Government has said that information on the application process for existing cardholders and new users will be available on the Transport Scotland website in due course.

Mr Doogan said that the move will encourage young people to partake in sustainable travel while saving money on travelling expenses.

He said: “I very much welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement that all bus travel will be free for those under 22. I’m sure that this will be a very welcome move amongst those who will be able to make savings on their everyday travel to work and education.

“Passenger journeys on buses fell by 24% in the North East, Tayside and Central Scotland in the last 5 years, and I am glad that Scottish Government are using this as an incentive for young people to get back on the buses and encouraging them to choose a more sustainable way to travel.

“We require a serious commitment from governments to help people encourage habitually use of public transport and this investment by our Scottish Government goes a long way to advancing this priority here in Scotland.”

The announcement follows a commitment that was previously agreed with the Scottish Green Party. Transport Scotland’s research showed that 70% of young people said they would use public transport more frequently if it was free, and 61% of young people said that public transport i s critical to combat the climate crisis.

The Scottish Government has also dedicated a Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce which brings bus operators, the supply chain, energy companies and financiers together to co-design a pathway to a fully zero-emission bus fleet as they have committed to removing the majority of fossil fuelled buses from public transport by 2023.