Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney stood firm over the SNP’s position on bus fare capping and franchising as he faced calls from the Scottish Greens in Holyrood on Thursday.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Swinney reiterated that his party’s plan to roll out the regional £2 fare cap scheme nationally would be a gradual process.
He also expressed support for local authorities wishing to regain public control of bus services, but declined to endorse the Greens’ franchising proposals.
Selected rural communities in Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute and island communities in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland are piloting a 12-month-long capped fare approach in 2026, funded by a £10 million investment from the Scottish Government.
Mr Greer called for expansion of the scheme universally, saying: “Does the First Minister agree with the Scottish Greens that more families should be able to enjoy £2 bus fares this summer?”
The SNP has committed to take forward legislation for the £2 fare cap to be made national by the end of this parliament in 2031.
Mr Swinney replied: “We are very pleased with the progress that has been made on the bus fare cap in the Highlands and Islands. It is providing real benefits for individuals in our communities there, and I want to see families in other parts of the country benefit.
“During the election campaign, my party made it clear that our priority was to roll out the proposal, although I have to be candid with the Parliament that it will take us time to do so. Our priority was to roll it out across the Strathclyde transport area in the west of Scotland, and then to take the practical steps that will be necessary to implement our manifesto commitment.”
Mr Greer followed up with a reference to his party’s proposal to bring buses under public control through a bond scheme. He asked: “Does the First Minister not agree that it is time to end the failed experiment of privatisation? Will he work with the Scottish Greens to bring our bus services back under public control?”
Mr Swinney replied: “There are a number of good examples of bus transport being in public ownership—the city of Edinburgh is a shining example, given its outstanding, high-quality bus service.
“I am full of admiration for the work that is being undertaken by Highland Council, in whose area many more services have been brought under public ownership and control. The legislative framework is in place to enable that to happen. We want to work with local authorities to advance such propositions, because they would be in the public interest.”
