A £2 cap on single-journey bus fares has come into force across Strathclyde, covering Glasgow, Ayrshire, Inverclyde, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire. The measure follows a successful trial in the Highlands, but no date has been fixed for extending it to the rest of Scotland.
Voluntary scheme for operators
The cap is voluntary, meaning private bus operators are free to opt out. England is due to introduce a nationwide bus fare cap from January 1.
Patrick Harvie, Scottish Greens transport spokesman, said: "We cannot stop here. People across Scotland should not have to pay more for their bus simply because of where they live. We want everyone in every community to feel the benefit of this as soon as possible."
Pressure on the Scottish Government
Harvie added: "The Scottish Greens secured this policy in the first place, and we’re now determined to see it rolled out across the whole of Scotland as quickly as possible. With household budgets under pressure and the climate emergency demanding urgent action, making buses cheaper is a simple and effective step."
He said a £2 fare cap helps regular commuters save money while encouraging them to leave the car at home, and described it as "the next step towards a public transport system that is free and accessible to everyone, and ultimately brought back into public control."
First Minister's response
First Minister John Swinney said the fare cap across Greater Glasgow would boost the economy and encourage sustainable travel. He said: "The cost of living remains one of the biggest challenges facing households across Scotland, so making public transport more affordable is all the more an important."
Swinney continued: "The launch of the £2 Bus Fare Cap across Strathclyde means that more people can get where they need to go with more money in their pocket – that is clear action to help people save money during a cost of living crisis."
He added: "Following the successful rollout across the Highlands and Islands, this expansion is the next major step towards our ambition of delivering a national rollout of £2 bus fares, ensuring they apply in every area in Scotland. Bus travel remains the most widely used form of public transport in Scotland and we are working to make it as affordable, accessible and attractive as possible. This is vital to grow the economy, travel sustainably and protect the planet."
