On the buses
With green concerns remaining at the top of the agenda post-cop26, we asked readers if cheaper public transport would presuade them to ditch their car.
I’m at an age where it’s free. However, we do not honestly have a public transportation system in Scotland unless you live in Glasgow or Edinburgh so unless we start to have a service that includes Sundays and evenings at least until 10pm then no, I can’t get rid of my car because it is essential for travel.
John Dickson
I'd use public transport if it ran near my house, and more than once per hour. I've lived in places that were served by more buses, tube and surface trains than you could shake a stick at, and it was great. I didn't need a car. But if you don't have that, it's either a car or you're stuck.
Malcolm Carlock
I live in Edinburgh and work in Livingston. It currently takes me 45 minutes each way, but if I used public transport it would take two to two-and-a-half hours each way. I also wouldn't even be able to get to work at 7am for a Saturday shift. Even if it was cheaper the time it takes would be crippling.
Stephen Edwards Thom Frequency or lack of it is the issue for me.
Jenny Mollison
After using five buses yesterday when my car was in for a service I would say no.
Maureen Middlemiss No, not down here in the Borders. 16 miles each way to work would add two hours to my working day. That’s assuming that I could get a bus at the right time.
Kevin Hill Not until it was clean and policed better as the amount of passengers I ether drunk or out their faces on drugs is horrible.
Joe Nisbet
All useful public transport in my area has gone, despite the growth in population in the village I live in. It is very limited and infrequent which limits work opportunities due to impractical journey times.
Lesley Fulton It's less about cost and more about having a reliable service that's joined up across suppliers – for example, Scotrail and Firstbus. If my choices are drive or get the train/bus combo where I'm waiting at least 55 minutes for the bus (if it shows up at all), I'm driving every time.
Katrina Evans