The Scottish National Party (SNP) has unveiled a proposal that aims to extend free bus travel to cover over half of Scotland’s population, potentially costing taxpayers an additional £127 million annually. Currently, approximately 42 percent of Scots benefit from state-funded bus journeys, leading to an annual expenditure of around £430 million.
The ambitious plan seeks to provide free bus services to an estimated 680,000 adults classified as living in relative poverty, defined as those earning less than approximately £23,000 annually. If implemented, this initiative would allow nearly three million people to travel without charge on Scotland’s bus network.
Critics of the proposal have raised concerns about the financial implications. Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy indicated that expanding the free bus pass scheme could result in significant tax increases for residents or cuts to essential public services. He stated, “Given the SNP’s gross mismanagement of the public finances, any such proposals are completely unaffordable and unrealistic at this time.”
The recommendation stems from a report by senior officials at Transport Scotland (TS) and Public Health Scotland (PHS), including Dr. Margaret Douglas, a leading consultant at PHS. Their research emphasizes the importance of bus concessionary schemes for improving affordability, noting that some low-income populations currently lack eligibility for free travel.
At present, free bus travel is available to individuals under the age of 22, seniors aged 60 and over, and those receiving disability benefits, amounting to 2.3 million Scot residents holding a relevant pass. However, the study published in the journal *Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives* highlights that the existing policy does not adequately serve many who would benefit most from free travel.
The report recommends prioritizing the extension of bus concessionary schemes to the 20 percent of working-age individuals living in relative poverty, which translates to 680,000 people. This expansion would significantly increase the financial burden on taxpayers, adding approximately £127 million to the current costs.
In addition to the proposed expansion, the Scottish Government has allocated an estimated £12 million for various transportation schemes that will run until April. These include initiatives aimed at asylum seekers as well as a trial that caps bus fares at £2 across several regions, including the Highlands and Islands, Moray, and Argyll and Bute.
While the Scottish Government has not commented specifically on the recent proposal, discussions regarding the upcoming Scottish Budget have included negotiations about a Green Party initiative to offer free bus travel to all individuals under the age of 30. A government spokesperson stated, “Engagement with parties is ongoing,” indicating that the conversation surrounding public transport accessibility remains a priority for the administration.
As the SNP continues to advocate for this extensive public service initiative, the balancing act of delivering affordable transport while ensuring fiscal responsibility looms large for Scottish ministers.
