£2 fare cap called for in Scotland

Scottish Greens have called for a £2 cap on bus fares in Scotland.

The political party claims the fare cap would open up the country, save regular commuters hundreds of pounds and transform access to local bus services. The party has called for the Scottish Government to pilot such a move as part of the forthcoming budget in order to make public transport more affordable, and protect and support bus services across the country.

Scottish Greens believes it would build on the success of free bus travel for everyone under 22, which was secured by the Scottish Greens and has resulted in 730,000 young people taking 140 million free bus journeys since it was introduced in 2022.

England currently has a £2 fare cap in place on single journeys on participating operators’ services. this is due to rise to £2.50 in January 2025.

“If we are to cut the cost of living and encourage people to leave their cars at home then we need to reduce the cost of public transport” – Scottish Greens transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP

Scottish Greens transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP, said: “By capping the price of bus travel we can open up our country and transform access to local bus services.

“A £2 fare cap would allow people to make journeys they are currently priced-out of while supporting workers and regular commuters, as well as people visiting their friends and families.

“If we are to cut the cost of living and encourage people to leave their cars at home then we need to reduce the cost of public transport. This would have a huge benefit for people travelling between towns and cities, where the cost is often too high.

“When the Scottish Greens removed peak rail fares we got more people onto our trains and helped workers and students in a cost of living crisis. I am confident that a bus fare cap would do the same.

“I hope that the Scottish Government learns from the rollout of the bus fare cap in England and that they will introduce it as a central part of the upcoming Scottish Budget.

“The introduction of free bus travel for young people has been one of the proudest achievements of devolution. It has created a whole new generation of bus users, but for some the price cliff when they lose their bus pass is huge. A fare cap would help keep people on the buses when they have to start paying.

“By introducing a fare cap we can build on that success, cut pollution and deliver cleaner, greener and more affordable transport for all.”