A Lanarkshire MSP has backed her party’s call for a £2 cap on bus fares.
Central Scotland Green MSP Gillian Mackay insisted the cap would save regular commuters hundreds of pounds, and transform access to local bus services in Lanarkshire.
The Greens has called for the Scottish Government to pilot such a move as part of the forthcoming budget in order to make public transport more affordable, and protect and support bus services.
This would build on the success of free bus travel for everyone under 22 and has resulted in 730,000 young people taking over 140 million free bus journeys since it was introduced in 2022.
Gillian Mackay MSP said: “A fare cap would be a big boost for commuters in Lanarkshire, especially those travelling to and from Glasgow, and I hope that the government includes it in the forthcoming budget. By reducing the price of bus travel, we can help people to save money and cut pollution.
“The cost of buses in Lanarkshire has been a big barrier to people who want to use them. A £2 fare cap would allow people to make journeys they are currently priced out of while supporting workers, regular commuters and people visiting their friends and families.
“If we are going to cut the cost of living and encourage people to leave their cars at home then we need to reduce the cost of public transport. This would have a huge benefit for people travelling across Lanarkshire.
“The introduction of free bus travel for young people has been one of the proudest achievements of devolution. It has created a whole new generation of bus users, but for some the price cliff when they lose their bus pass is huge. A fare cap would help keep people on the buses when they have to start paying.
“By introducing a fare cap, we can build on that success, cut pollution and deliver cleaner, greener and more affordable transport for everyone in Lanarkshire.”
It comes after the Poverty Alliance urged the Scottish Government to support more councils to bring buses back under local control.
MSPs will this week debate a public petition which calls for the re-regulation of buses to be made a priority after years of fare hikes and routes being axed.
Peter Kelly, Poverty Alliance chief executive, said: “People on low incomes tell us buses are too dear, too unreliable, and don’t meet their needs.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Ministers are committed to building as broad support as possible across Parliament in order to deliver the forthcoming Budget.
“Engagement with all parties is ongoing ahead of the draft Budget being set out in the Scottish Parliament on December 4.”
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