Almost 45 million free bus journeys were made in Scotland via the concessionary travel scheme for under-22s in its first year of operation to 31 January. Transport Scotland says that the overall uptake rate by those that are eligible is currently 60.7%, but it is 71.5% for the 16-21 age range and 69.3% for those that are 12-15.
Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth describes the scheme as “landmark Scottish Government policy” that has helped “young people and families with children to cut the costs of everyday and leisure travel while at the same time protecting our climate.”
When it was announced, the free travel scheme had generated concern from some parts of the bus industry in Scotland regarding the reimbursement level. The customary ‘no better off, no worse off’ approach for concessionary travel is in place.
Reimbursement is based upon a percentage of an adult single fare agreed between the operator and the Scottish Government. For the year to 31 March, that rate is 43.6% of the agreed fare for journeys made by eligible people aged 5-15, and 81.2% for those aged 16-21.
Ms Gilruth told the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on 8 March 2022 that – unlike older and disabled people’s concessionary travel – no budget cap has been set for under-22s free bus travel scheme for the year to 31 March.
Reimbursement rates for both young people’s free travel and those for older and disabled people “are consistent with the aim set out in the legislation establishing both schemes that bus operators should be no better off and no worse off as a result of participating in them,” Ms Gilruth noted. She believes that the current rates provide “a welcome degree of stability” for operators.
Ms Gilruth had previously accepted complaints that the application process was found to be “pretty complex and hard to undertake” by some young people, with a review of the process quickly agreed.
