Free bus travel for the over-60s escapes feared age increase

● Scheme to be extended to include those accompanying disabled children

Over-60s will continue to enjoy free bus travel, allaying fears the age could be raised, transport secretary Michael Matheson has announced.

It follows a Scottish Government review of the £202 million a year scheme, which sparked concerns that eligibility could be narrowed because of its rising cost.

Mr Matheson said the national concessionary travel scheme would be extended to include those accompanying eligible disabled children under five.

He said more than 3,000 families could benefit.

Free bus travel for modern apprentices will also “continue to be considered”. More than one million people use the scheme and it accounts for one-third of Scotland’s 390 million annual bus journeys.

It was introduced by the Labour-liberal Democrat coalition in 2006, with its annual cost increasing from an initial £159m.

In England, the eligible age has increased incrementally from 60 since 2010, based on the increasing female pension age, and will reach 65 in 2020.

A review of the Scottish scheme last year found two in three of nearly 3,000 people who responded to the accompanying consultation wanted the bus pass age to remain at 60.

Mr Matheson said: “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.”

Kayleigh Thorpe, head of campaigns at ENABLE Scotland, said the learning disabilities charity had called for those accompanying disabled children to be included.

She said: “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.”

Scottish 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.

Scottish Labour claimed the announcement was a “U-turn”. It pointed to options to raise the age in the consultation, but there was a further option for no change.

Connectivity spokesman Colin Smyth said: “The free bus pass for over 60s was one of many great achievements of Scottish Labour governments.

“That is why Labour pledged to table amendments to the transport bill to enshrine the qualifying age of 60 for the bus pass for older people into law.

“It is clear the SNP would have lost a vote on this and been forced to ditch any move to increase the qualifying age to 65.”

Scottish Greens spokesman John Finnie said: “Keeping the age of eligibility at 60 is the right thing to do.”