Bus fares in Renfrewshire should be capped at £2 as part of efforts to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and the climate emergency, a Renfrewshire MSP has insisted.
Ross Greer says the Scottish Greens proposal would save regular commuters hundreds of pounds and transform bus services in Renfrewshire.
A year-long trial of £2 capped bus fares is one of the Scottish Greens’ key demands of the Scottish Government for the 2025-26 budget.
As a minority government, the SNP will need the support of at least one other party in parliament for their budget to pass next year.
A bus fare cap would, the Greens argue, build on the success of free bus travel for everyone under the age of 22, which was secured by the party in 2022, and has resulted in 730,000 young people taking over 140 million free bus journeys since its launch.
Mr Greer told the Paisley Daily Express: “Capping bus fares at £2 would be a big boost for commuters in Renfrewshire and the Scottish Greens will push for it to be added to next year’s budget.
“By reducing the price of bus travel, we can help people to save money, protect the planet and make our roads safer by reducing the volume of traffic.
“The cost of buses in Renfrewshire is a growing problem. A £2 fare cap would make it much more affordable to jump on the bus rather than take the car.
“It would also reduce the isolation often felt by those who cannot afford their own car in the first place.
“If we are going to support families in Renfrewshire with the cost of living and encourage people to leave cars at home, we must reduce the cost of public transport. That’s why the Scottish Greens trialled the removal of peak rail fares, which the SNP have sadly since brought back.”
A trial of fare capping was recommended by the Scottish Government’s Fair Fares review, published by Transport Scotland in 2023. It concluded: “We will develop a proposal for a bus flat fares pilot for an area-based scheme to provide flat fares on bus travel, or reduced fares on zonal integrated travel for consideration in future budgets.”
Mr Greer added: “Free bus travel for young people is one of the Green party’s proudest achievements. It has created a whole new generation of bus users and saved many services from being cut entirely.
“However, the price cliff when a young person turns 22 is huge.
“A fare cap would help keep young adults on the buses when they have to start paying, as well as supporting other working age adults with the cost of their commute.”
Don’t miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here