Bus fares in Strathclyde area capped at £2

Bus fares have been capped at £2 for passengers in the Strathclyde area following a “successful rollout” of the scheme in the Highlands and Islands.

The cap applies across participating bus services in the region which includes Glasgow, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire.

The rollout of the initiative to the Strathclyde area on Monday September 7 marks the latest step in the Scottish Government’s plans to take forward legislation to put a £2 bus fare cap in place across Scotland by the end of this parliamentary term.

It is hoped the scheme will encourage more people to use public transport, as well as helping them with travel costs.

First Minister John Swinney said: “The cost of living remains one of the biggest challenges facing households across Scotland, so making public transport more affordable is all the more important.

“The launch of the £2 Bus Fare Cap across Strathclyde means that more people can get where they need to go with more money in their pocket – that is clear action to help people save money during a cost-of-living crisis.

“Following the successful rollout across the Highlands and Islands, this expansion is the next major step towards our ambition of delivering a national rollout of £2 bus fares, ensuring they apply in every area in Scotland.

“Bus travel remains the most widely used form of public transport in Scotland and we are working to make it as affordable, accessible and attractive as possible. This is vital to grow the economy, travel sustainably and protect the planet.”

The SNP said its analysis shows that more than 2.6 million people living in Scotland – almost half of the population – are now able to travel by bus either for £2 or for free.

People under the age of 22, those over 60, or those living with a disability in Scotland already have access to free bus travel across the country.

Andy Cullen, regional director of First Bus in Scotland, said: “We look forward to welcoming our regular customers on board and seeing more people discover the value of using the bus in their daily travel across Glasgow and the wider region.

“We will continue to work in partnership with the government to ensure the £2 fare cap is a success and reinforces the important role of buses in keeping people, families and communities connected to jobs, education, training, healthcare and leisure.”

The Scottish Greens are calling for the scheme to be rolled out across the country as quickly as possible.

Scottish Greens transport spokesman Patrick Harvie MSP said: “The Scottish Greens fought hard for the introduction of the £2 bus fare cap, and I am delighted that it will be making a real difference to people and families in Strathclyde.

“This is exactly what Green politics can deliver, putting money back in people’s pockets, helping us to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and making it easier for people to choose public transport.

“But we cannot stop here. People across Scotland should not have to pay more for their bus simply because of where they live. We want everyone in every community to feel the benefit of this as soon as possible.

“The Scottish Greens secured this policy in the first place, and we’re now determined to see it rolled out across the whole of Scotland as quickly as possible.”