Could free bus travel in Scotland be extended to all under 30s?

The Scottish Greens want to see the young person’s free bus travel scheme, which is currently offered to everyone under the age of 22, extended in next year’s budget.

Since free bus travel was introduced, over 250 million free journeys have been made. Between January 2022 and February 2023 it cost the government over £102m.

This commitment was a key part of the Bute House Agreement, the power-sharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens which collapsed under Humza Yousaf’s leadership. The Greens say it was “one of the greatest successes of devolution” and could be extended to more than half a million people.

Ross Greer, the party’s co-leader, said: “The Greens’ introduction of free bus travel for everyone under 22 has been a huge success.

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“Hundreds of thousands of young people are saving money, finding new opportunities, and helping to tackle the climate crisis.

“This scheme is one of the clearest achievements of the Scottish Parliament. Families across the country have saved thousands of pounds in a period when bills and other costs have otherwise soared.

“But the cost-of-living crisis doesn’t stop for people the day they turn 22. For many young people the impact of losing their bus pass is huge, with new travel costs eating into their budgets.

“Too many workers in their 20s are trapped in a cycle of ever-rising costs and insecure work, with far too many struggling to cover their rent and bills every month.

“Lowering the cost of public transport is a win-win for people and planet. That’s why the Scottish Greens are pushing for more people to get a free bus pass as soon as possible.”

Finance Secretary Shona Robison will set out the Scottish budget on January 13. The government is expected to have £100m to play with in its budget after the UK Government confirmed it would scrap the two-child benefit cap in its budget last week.

The Scottish Greens estimate that extending free bus travel to all under 30s would cost around £105m.