Scots will continue to enjoy free bus passes

POLITICS: Travel scheme for over-60s will be extended to carers of disabled children under the age of five

Bus passes will continue to be made available to Scots aged 60 and above, with the free travel scheme also being extended to include carers of disabled youngsters under the age of five.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson also pledged ministers would consider the possibility of extending the scheme further to apprentices.

He announced there would be no change to the eligibility criteria for the National Concessionary Travel Scheme as he met industry leaders for the first time since taking over the transport brief at the end of June.

The Scottish Government had been consulting on the scheme’s future – with almost two-thirds of those who took part supporting plans to keep the age for a bus pass at 60.

Extending the free passes to people travelling with a disabled child under the age of five could benefit more than 3,000 families, Transport Scotland said.

Mr Matheson said: “The bus pass is a benefit that many people enjoy and use as part of their daily lives and I’m delighted that this government will expand the scheme to include companions of eligible disabled children aged under five.

“The concessionary travel scheme enables independence, accessibility and social inclusivity.

“We have listened closely to the many respondents who feel that the free bus pass should remain available to all from the age of 60 and concluded that we should not change the age of eligibility.

“We will also continue to explore options to provide free bus travel for modern apprentices, while keeping the scheme under review and maintaining a balanced budget.”

Kayleigh Thorpe, head of campaigns at the charity Enable Scotland, said: “We welcome the announcement extending the right to a companion bus pass to disabled children under the age of five.

“This is a change we called for in our response to the consultation.

“The cost of travel can prove a significant burden upon families who may already be under substantial financial pressure with the additional costs of raising a disabled child.

“We are delighted that families of disabled children can now access this support.”

Labour connectivity spokesman Colin Smyth welcomed the announcement “after months of uncertainty over the future of the bus pass”.

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Mike Rumbles said: “Encouraging all those over 60 to use the bus is a win, win situation.

“Individuals benefit, our transport system benefits but above all the environment wins as we continue to encourage people out of their cars and on to our buses.”

“The bus pass is a benefit that many people enjoy and use as part of their daily lives and I’m delighted that this government will expand the scheme. TRANSPORT MINISTER MICHAEL MATHESON

Picture: Chris Watt. Michael Matheson made the pledge as he met industry leaders for the first time.