Key messages

Fundamentally, people experiencing poverty in rural and urban Scotland had similar aspirations and priorities for public transport.

A lack of safety forces people to change their behaviour and limits participation in society. The safety of women and girls, disabled people and Black and minority ethnic people should be considered throughout the Fair Fares review.

People living on low incomes in both urban and rural Scotland are much more likely to use buses rather than trains. Public transport interventions that work for people living on low incomes should therefore focus on buses.

Reliability is critical to people. Public transport must be reliable and show up, in good condition and on time, with routes that work for local communities.

Both rural and urban participants prioritised the need for a public transport system that is more affordable, more accessible, more reliable and meets local needs.

Rural and urban groups emphasised the need for expanded and easily accessible concessionary schemes that reduce costs for people who need it most.

Ticketing should be integrated to cut costs for the user and to create ease of travel.

Participants strongly felt that as people living on low incomes are the group most likely to rely on public transport, there should continue to be participation throughout the Fair Fares Review. They offer to support that participation.