Regional Bus Fare Cap Pilot

Further details have been set out to establish the Regional Bus Fare Cap Pilot, a commitment made in the 2025/26 budget.

Supported by £10 million investment, the pilot aims to make bus travel more affordable and accessible, encouraging greater public transport use while delivering better value for money, supporting lower-income passengers, and strengthening local bus services for communities across the region.

Following a successful Expression of Interest process, the Scottish Government intends to work jointly with Regional Transport Partnerships  HiTrans and ZetTrans to deliver the pilot in Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute, and island communities in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said:

“Scotland’s public transport system is a key enabler for growth and opportunity, helping people and communities to connect to jobs, education, retail, public services, leisure, social and family networks.

“I am pleased to confirm the establishment of the bus fare cap pilot, another way in which we can help people to make positive and proactive travel choiceH to use bus and address affordability issues.

“I very much look forward to working with HiTrans and ZetTrans, and relevant bus operators within these areas, to progress the launch of the pilot and make bus travel more affordable, improve access for low-income communities, and support sustainable travel for people across those regions.”