FREE BUS TRAVEL FOR UNDER-19s
Greens say plan to be introduced in early 2021 will help tackle climate emergency
BUS travel could be free for under-19s in Scotland from next year under a Budget deal struck between the SNP and the Greens at Holyrood.
The aim is for the scheme to start in January 2021. Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie said it would be “transformational” in tackling the climate emergency.
THE Scottish Greens last night said free bus travel for under-19s will be “transformational” in tackling the climate emergency.
The concessionary scheme was agreed under a Budget deal struck between the party and the SNP yesterday, ahead of a vital Holyrood vote today to set spending plans for Scottish public services.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said: “We will begin the work now to ensure such a scheme is legally compliant, and meets young people’s needs, with the aim of introducing it from January 2021.
“Alongside the £500million bus infrastructure fund, this will help deliver a step change in the use of public transport.”
Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie said: “This scheme will benefit young people starting college and families, some of whom stand to save thousands of pounds a year, and encourage whole generations of public transport users.”
But Scottish Labour finance spokeswoman Rhoda Grant said the bus scheme is a “pale imitation” of the under-25 plan her party put forward.
She added: “It is deeply disappointing to see the Scottish Green Party sell our local councils, our environment and, indeed, themselves, short yet again.”
Scottish Tory finance spokesman Donald Cameron said the bus travel pledge fell short of a promise to deliver and that the “SNP has yet again tricked the Greens into supporting the Budget”.
The Budget deal also includes an extra £95million for councils, although the Lib Dems insisted local government capital will still be cut by £117million.
And there will be £18million more for the police.