Scottish Greens pledge integrated transport ticketing system

The Scottish Greens have committed to bringing in a “tap-on, tap-off” ticketing system for the country’s public transport, funded by scrapping road projects.

Under the proposals, commuters and travellers will be able to use one ticket – capped at a daily limit – for travel across the country.

The party’s co-leader Ross Greer said the plans – dubbed the Scotcard – would cover trains, buses and ferries and mimic other systems seen in Europe.

The funding would come from scrapping road-building projects, with the party saying the priority should be getting people out of cars.

“This will make public transport journeys easier and cheaper. It builds on the track record of Green MSPs, who have already saved commuters a fortune by introducing free bus travel for young people and scrapping peak rail fares,” said Greer.

“Integrated flat fares have been common across Europe for years, but Scotland has trailed behind. It’s time for us to finally catch up and deliver a system that works for people and planet.

“Transport is Scotland’s largest source of carbon emissions. If we’re to tackle the climate emergency, we need to make sure a bus or train is the first and best choice for far more Scots.

“The current system is complex and expensive, with people needing multiple tickets to get from point A to point B.

“We need to make it far simpler by introducing the kind of card payment system that Scots are used to seeing when they go abroad.

“Far too much of the transport debate in this country is about which motorways should be expanded, when our top priority should be making buses and trains easier and cheaper to use. The Scottish Greens’ Scotcard proposal would do just that.”