Objectives of the scheme
Consultation : Free bus travel for people resident in Scotland aged under 19
Objectives of the scheme
A national travel concession scheme provides travel concessions to certain people travelling on eligible services and such schemes are enabled through section 40 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005. We intend to provide free travel on bus services to all residents in Scotland aged under 19.
The scheme is intended to:
- open up social, educational, employment or leisure opportunities in line with our National Transport Strategy (NTS) priorities to improve our health and wellbeing and deliver inclusive economic growth
- reduce household outgoings to aid children, particularly those living in poverty, in line with our NTS priority to reduce inequalities
By providing free bus travel to persons aged under 19, we are seeking to improve their access to education, training and employment and to embed positive sustainable travel behaviours.
Most people aged under 19 are in full time education, working or in training and need transport to travel to their school, college or place of work. Providing free bus travel widens opportunities for this group and will have a particular impact on people from lower income households who are more likely to take the bus: according to the Poverty and Inequality Commission's report Transport and Poverty in Scotland, 44% of people with an income of less than £10,000 travel by bus once a week or more compared to 16% of those with an income over £40,000.