500,000 Scots would benefit if free bus travel extended to under-30s in new Greens budget plea

More than 500,000 young Scots could benefit if free bus travel is extended to everyone under the age of 30 in next month’s Holyrood Budget, the Scottish Greens have said.

The party was instrumental in the introduction of free bus travel for Scots aged 22 and under, with around 250 million free journeys made since the policy was launched in 2021.

Ahead of the Budget on January 13, the Greens are calling for the scheme to be expanded to include all under-30s.

The party claims the move would benefit more than 500,000 people, including around 110,000 in Glasgow and 84,000 in Edinburgh.

The party is pushing the issue in talks taking place as the minority SNP Scottish Government seeks to build a majority for its Budget to get it through Holyrood.

Scottish Green transport spokesman Mark Ruskell said the introduction of free bus travel for under-22s had been “one of the clearest achievements of the Scottish Parliament to date”.

The MSP added: “Thanks to this groundbreaking Green policy, hundreds of thousands of young people are able to jump on board Scotland’s buses for free – saving money, accessing new opportunities and cutting emissions.

“But we all know the cost-of-living crisis doesn’t stop for people when they turn 22. Too many young workers are trapped in a cycle of soaring living costs and insecure work, and the last thing they should have to worry about is if they can afford the cost of their commute.

“That’s why, as part of this year’s Budget, we’re calling on the Scottish Government to build on the success of the free bus scheme by extending it to everyone under 30. This expansion would give half a million more young people free bus travel in Scotland.

“Cheap public transport is a win-win for people and planet, and our project must be expanded to ensure that more people can choose to commute in a way that saves money and cuts congestion.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ministers are committed to building as broad support as possible across Parliament in order to deliver the forthcoming Budget.

“Engagement with parties is ongoing ahead of the draft Budget being set out in the Scottish Parliament on January 13.”