Bus fares in Scotland could potentially be capped at £2 in a bid to encourage more people to opt for public transport over driving, according to an exclusive report by the Daily Record. The Scottish Greens have proposed this move, highlighting that a similar cap has been successful in England since 2023, saving regular commuters significant amounts of money.
The Scottish Greens argue that implementing a £2 fare cap would not only make public transport more affordable but also help sustain bus routes across the country. They point to the success of the free bus travel initiative for under-22s in Scotland, which has seen 730,000 young people taking 140 million journeys since its inception in 2022.
In advocating for the fare cap, Scottish Greens member Ruskell emphasised the potential benefits of such a policy. He stated that reducing the cost of bus travel could have a positive impact on various groups of people, including workers, students, and families visiting loved ones. Ruskell also drew parallels with the success seen when peak rail fares were removed, leading to increased train usage and benefitting individuals during times of financial strain.
The price cap on bus fares in England operates through a voluntary agreement with bus operators, with the government compensating operators for the shortfall between the capped fare and the commercial rate. The Poverty Alliance has also called on the Scottish Government to consider bringing buses back under local authority control to address concerns around affordability and service reliability.
The SNP Government in Scotland is engaging with various parties to garner support for the upcoming budget, with discussions ongoing ahead of the budget announcement in Parliament on 4th December. Transport Scotland highlighted that while a £2 fare cap is not currently in place in Scotland, existing schemes such as free bus travel for certain demographics contribute to making public transport more accessible.
In summary, the proposal to cap bus fares at £2 in Scotland has the potential to have far-reaching benefits, from making public transport more affordable to reducing carbon emissions by incentivising people to choose buses over cars. It remains to be seen how this proposal will be received and whether it will be included as part of the upcoming Scottish budget.