Free U-19 bus travel moves a step closer

Free bus travel for the under-19s has moved one stop closer after the Transport Secretary introduced legislation to enable it at the Scottish Parliament.

The move will allow an estimated 770,000 young people to ride Scotland's buses for free.

The proposal was a key demand of the Scottish Greens in order to secure their support for the SNP Government's Budget last year.

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “Free bus travel for under19s will be transformational, benefiting young people and their families, and I'm proud that it has come as a direct result of the Scottish Greens.”

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said young people have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus restrictions, and he claimed the policy will help the country “build back better” from the pandemic – a slogan previously used by Boris Johnson and Joe Biden.