Thousands of Lochaber’s young people to benefit from free buses
An estimated 2,700 young people in Lochaber could have access to free bus travel across the country if the Scottish government’s plans are introduced next year.
The new concessionary scheme was set out in its budget, which will give free bus travel to those aged 18 and under.
The latest figures produced by National Records of Scotland estimate there were 11,452 people aged between five and 18 in the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency in 2018. A look at current school rolls shows just over 2,700 in all Lochaber primary and secondary schools.
The Scottish Government will undertake work on design and due diligence with a view to introducing such a scheme in January 2021.
Lochaber and Skye MSP and finance secretary Kate Forbes said: ‘Free bus travel will be an enormous benefit to young people across my constituency of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
‘I know how expensive it can be for young people to travel across the Highlands and between the central belt and the Highlands.
‘The concessionary travel scheme for older people has seen more people using the bus and therefore making more bus services viable.
‘Concessionary travel has also brought benefits to passengers themselves as it helps to combat isolation and loneliness. I’m delighted that it will now be extended to young people.
‘Alongside the £500 million investment in bus infrastructure previously announced by the Scottish Government, this radical and innovative approach will help deliver a step change in the use of public transport.’
Access to public transport for all is something of particular interest to Developing the Young
Workforce (DYW). The West Highland group thinks the government should go further in provisions for rural areas where young people can find it difficult to access the best career opportunities, often due to travel.
Lesley Benfield, programme director DYW West Highland, commented: ‘We would push further to see the ambition extended to an all-in-one free pass for bus, rail and ferry travel for under-18s.
‘Scotland is under-investing in its young people at a time when the economy faces skill shortages.
‘Our region (Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross) covers a sixth of Scotland’s landmass and 90 per cent of our young people live and study in a rural location.
‘Access to career inspiration and work experience opportunities for under-18s results in businesses having access to the best possible workforce.
‘This will not happen unless the government ensures that the cost of travelling to a work placement or careers opportunity does not continue to place our young people at a disadvantage to their peers in Scotland.’