Scotland’s under-22s make more than 200 million free bus journeys

More than 200 million journeys have been made across Scotland as part of a scheme which allows young people to make bus journeys for free.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop hailed the “transformative benefit” of the scheme, which was introduced just over three years ago in January 2022.

Children and young people aged between five and 21 can apply for a card which allows them to travel for free.

With the Scottish Government having set, under the leadership of First Minister John Swinney, the goal of eradicating child poverty, Hyslop said that free bus travel saves families “significant amounts of money”.

But she also said the scheme was “creating new opportunities” by helping young people get to school, college, university or work, as well as encouraging more people to use “sustainable” transport.

Speaking as it was confirmed more than 200 million free journeys have taken place, the Transport Secretary said: “Eradicating child poverty is the single greatest priority of this government. That’s why I’m so pleased that under-22s across Scotland continue to take advantage of this transformative benefit – with over 200 million journeys now made across Scotland.”

Speaking about the scheme Hyslop said: “This is saving young people and their families significant amounts of money, but just as importantly, it’s creating new opportunities.

“It’s giving children and young people the best chances to succeed in life, whether it’s widening access and connectivity to education or employment – or both at the same time through the fantastic apprenticeship opportunities available across the country.”

But she stated it was “not just about the number of journeys, it’s about what these journeys mean”, adding she has met “many young people” who travel to work or a course at no cost.

However, concerns have been raised about the behaviour of young people on buses.

Hyslop previously said she had asked officials to look into whether it would be possible to digitally block people from using their national entitlement cards if they were abusing the scheme.

It came after evidence of anti-social behaviour from some young people using the free bus passes.

That included those under the influence of alcohol or drugs as well as verbal and physical assaults on drivers and other passengers.

In Edinburgh, violence on city buses saw £1,700 worth of damage in broken windows in three days in November and a 60% rise in reports of anti-social behaviour since the introduction of the passes in 2022.