20 March 2019

SNP MSPs voted down Labour’s plan at Holyrood today to implement extending free bus travel to everyone aged under 25, instead committing to review the policy going forward.

Scottish Labour will keep up the pressure on the government in Parliament and in our communities to stop finding excuses to kick this into the long grass but to implement it as soon as possible.

Analysis of the latest Scottish transport statistics by Labour reveal that 52 per cent of people who have taken a bus journey ‘in the past day’ had an annual income of less than £20,000.

By contrast, the study found only 11 per cent of those who used the bus earned over £40,000.

The number of bus passenger journeys have plummeted by 20 per cent under the SNP amid a 17 per cent real terms rise in fares over the last decade.

Scottish Labour’s Transport spokesperson, Colin Smyth MSP, said:

“Instead of parking free bus travel for young people the SNP should listen to Labour and use Scotland's powers to transform our public transport system.

“Extending free bus travel will open up opportunities for young people - especially those on low incomes - but it is clear the SNP are in no rush to unlock the next generation’s potential.

“We will keep up the pressure on the government in Parliament and in our communities to give our young people the real change they need.

“In government, Labour will use Scotland’s powers to transform our transport system so it works for the many, not just the few.”



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