MORE than 2.5 million free bus journeys have been made by young people in Argyll and Bute since Scotland’s under-22s travel scheme was introduced.
New figures show that 2,530,080 journeys have been made in the area through the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme since its launch in early 2022.
The scheme allows eligible children and young people aged between five and 21 to travel free on registered bus services across Scotland using a National Entitlement Card or Young Scot National Entitlement Card.
According to figures released by the SNP, there are now 842,653 cardholders benefiting from the scheme across Scotland.
Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto welcomed the latest figures, saying free travel was helping young people across the area access employment, education and leisure opportunities while reducing costs for families.
She said: “2,530,080 free bus journeys have now been made by young people here in Argyll and Bute, thanks to action taken by the SNP in government.
“Across the country, nearly one million young Scots are benefiting from free bus travel – that’s just the ticket for young people starting out in life in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.
“This isn’t only saving young people and their families money, free bus travel is helping young folk here in Argyll and Bute to fulfil their potential by making it easier to get to work, college or even just to travel across town to see their family and friends.”
Ms Minto also highlighted concessionary travel available to older people in Scotland and plans for a £2 bus fare cap.
She added: “Older people here also save up to £1,000 thanks to our lower qualification age for free bus travel and with a £2 bus fare cap being rolled out across the country, the SNP is firmly on the side of Scottish households making sustainable travel more affordable for everyone.”
