Connectivity minister Jim Fairlie refuses to say whether bus driver's killer will keep free bus pass
Draft code of conduct governing impending ban for unruly passengers savaged by MSPs
A minister was criticised for failing to say whether violent criminals such as the killer of an Elgin bus driver would be included in plans to revoke free bus passes from unruly passengers.
A Holyrood committee agreed to the law change on Tuesday despite its convener describing the draft code of conduct which will govern the measure as "poor" and "unhelpful".
Members of the net zero, energy and transport committee also accused connectivity minister Jim Fairlie of failing to explain how it would work.
Mr Fairlie said the measures would be ready for implementation in the autumn, with the 2.4 million holders of free bus passes to be warned they could lose them if they hurt or threatened others, or damaged or disrupted buses.
Passengers could face losing their pass if they hurt someone physically or used abusive, threatening or indecent language, or harassed others.
Breaking seats, windows, safety equipment or interferring with the safe running of the bus, such as trying to open doors or distracting the driver, could also lead to a pass being revoked.
Those eligible for the passes include the under 22s and over 60s - some 44 per cent of the Scottish population.
Edward Mountain MSP , committee convener and Highlands and Islands Scottish Conservative, described the code as “poor in content” and “unhelpful in a lot of things”.
He said he thought it was not ready to be implemented and did not believe that could be achieved before the Scottish Parliament is dissolved next month ahead of May’s election.
A spokesperson for the committee said he was emphasising the code of conduct lacked detail and clarity around the circumstances under which unruly passengers would have their concessionary bus passes revoked.
Mr Mountain later told The Scotsman: “I was berating the minister for his ineptitude in the way he has handled this whole process.
“I would go so far as to say it was incompetent, unhelpful and showed a level of disrespect to the committee which I have never seen the like of before, by coming in ill-prepared and unable to answer simple questions.”
Mr Fairlie was unable to say whether the killer of Elgin bus driver Keith Rollinson in 2024, who was 15 years old at the time, would lose his free bus pass when he is released from secure accommodation.
Douglas Lumsden MSP, committee member and north east Scotland Scottish Conservative MSP, said: “It’s shameful that this SNP minister couldn’t guarantee that the thug who killed Keith Rollinson will be stripped of his free bus pass.“
“This shouldn’t be up for debate. It’s an affront to Keith’s widow, Sue, who is still fighting for justice after the loss of her husband.
“The public expect criminals to face consequences for their actions – not this pathetic handwringing by SNP ministers.”
Scottish Labour said Mr Fairlie had “dodged basic questions” at the committee hearing while confirming that anti-social behaviour at bus stops would not be covered by the code.
The party said the minister “repeatedly struggled to answer broader questions from [committee member and Central Scotland Labour MSP] Monica Lennon about what happens to the bus passes of those committing serious and violent crimes on buses”.
Scottish Labour transport spokesperson Daniel Johnson said: “Jim Fairlie’s woeful committee appearance shows the SNP simply is not taking this issue seriously enough.
“Violent, anti-social and criminal behaviour is far too common on our buses but the minister was dodging basic questions about how his plans will work.”
Committee member and mid-Scotland and Fife Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell, who abstained in the 6-0 vote to approve the move, said it would make no difference to criminal behaviour and would just set up a costly bureaucracy.
Mr Fairlie said revoking passes retrospectively was not something he could discuss, but it would taken up with Justice Secretary Angela Constance.
He also said he could not discuss individual cases such as Mr Rollinson’s killer. He described Mr Lumsden raising the subject as “disrespectful and “distasteful”.
The minister said it would be for Transport Scotland to decide whether passengers had broken the code.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is clear that free bus travel changes lives, particularly for people who are facing financial barriers to transport during the cost of living crisis.
“The vast majority of people who benefit from free bus travel do so responsibly – but where anti-social behaviour has occurred, Ministers have the greatest sympathy for bus drivers and passengers who have been affected.
“Today’s Committee decision is a positive step forward, and officials continue their engagement with stakeholders in the development process of the card withdrawal process at pace.
“Ministers are clear that everyone should be able get where they need to go without fear of abuse. We are working hard to ensure that all bus passengers can travel safely and confidently on our bus network.”
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