Over 150 million bus journeys have been made by those aged under-22 and resident in Scotland via the Young Persons’ Free Travel Scheme, the Scottish Government has revealed.
It was introduced on 31 January 2022 and delivers benefits that Holyrood says include the encouragement of more use of the mode by young people, the opening of social, education and employment opportunities, and helping to end child poverty.
In the scheme’s first year to 31 January 2023, almost 45 million journeys were taken. The 100 million landmark was reached late in the same year. Around a million children and young people are thought to be eligible for the pass, according to the Scottish Government.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop says that young people “all over Scotland” have taken up the free bus travel.
She adds: “The scheme is making a huge difference for children, younger people and their families – with this transformational policy making sustainable travel easier and cheaper for them each and every day.
“It is not just about the number of journeys. It is about what these journeys mean. It is opening doors to new opportunities, keeping people connected, and making sustainable transport more affordable – giving Scotland’s children and young people the very best chance to succeed in life.
“I want to thank every young person who is using Scotland’s buses responsibly – and in doing so, playing their part in cutting emissions and taking climate action.”
Despite strong use of the free bus travel scheme for those aged under 22 in Scotland, the Scottish Parliament heard in late 2023 that it had led to increased incidents of abuse and vandalism aboard buses.
Such a concessionary offer was also cited in a Scottish Government report, Behaviour in Scottish Schools 2023, that notes how free bus travel in some cases had led to young people “meeting up on buses and engaging in antisocial behaviour.”
