Close to 400,000 of the 930,000 youngsters under 22 entitled to free bus travel haven’t taken it up — a year on from its launch.
Across the north and north-east, nearly half haven’t applied and the national take-up is 58%, as of November 7.
Why aren’t more people taking advantage of the scheme?
The Greens who fought to get it through government say bus shortages are a stumbling block.
But they say the recent handing of powers to councils to run bus services should boost bus numbers and in turn take-up.
Many councils have no plans to go down that road, however.
And on places like South Uist, a “skeleton” bus service means the free pass is barely worth the plastic it is printed on, according to one community council.
Uptake of free under 22 bus travel:
While Glasgow take-up is quite low, nearly everyone is using it in Edinburgh.
But many in the north and north-east are snubbing the under 22 free bus travel scheme, especially in rural areas.
In places like Comhairle nan Eilean Siar it’s only a third that are using it.
What are some of the problems?
Gaps and driver shortages leave holes in bus services across Aberdeen and the Highlands.
Jamie Stone, Lib Dem MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, thinks “getting people on buses is a brilliant idea” but services need to improve.
He says: “We have an Asda and a Tesco here in Tain and there’s a fair number of young people from the outlying villages working in them.
“I’ve heard a lot of these young people are booking taxis to get home at night after a late-shift.
“I think it’s both number of buses and time-tabling that’s the problem.”
Concerns have also been raised that the application process for the scheme is complex.
‘Our kids are being denied’
South Uist’s Iochdar Community Council secretary Anne Bird says a “skeleton” bus service hampers take-up.
She says: “Any Scottish Government initiative is supposed to work for the islands, yet this has limited benefits because it’s a skeleton service running here.
“All the island people ever look for is parity.”
Price tag for under 22 free bus travel
It launched in January to lower pollution and lend families a hand financially.
The estimated roll-out cost to date is £118 million — £105.7 million this year, £10.6 million last year, and £1.2 million for marketing.
The government says a mammoth 30 million bus journeys have been taken so far.
But low-take up opens the policy to criticism from the opposition.
Who pays for ‘missing’ bums on seats?
Is there is a cost to the taxpayer due to the near 400,000 young people yet to take advantage of the under 22 free but travel scheme?
No.
Bus operators are reimbursed by the government for 43.6% of an adult single fare for passengers aged 5-15 and 81.2% for those aged 16-21.
Low uptake in the last 10 months was a budget saver.
Low under 22 free bus travel uptake: Could councils help by running bus services?
Ariane Burgess, Highlands & Islands Green MSP, says “many areas did not strongly promote uptake” when it launched during Covid restrictions in January.
She says a move by the Scottish Government this year to allow local authorities to run their own bus services could help to increase bus usage by youngsters, particularly in remote areas.
She said: “It’s important to recognise some young people live in rural areas where there are no bus services.
“That’s why our work investing in active travel (tripling to £320,000 in 2024) and giving councils powers to run bus services is important.”
Which councils are running bus services?
Mainland councils got the green light in June but doing so isn’t simple, or cheap.
Of the eight local authorities in the north and north-east, only Moray is putting its boot on the throttle.
Highland Council is trialling school transport but buses may not run after school.
Argyll and Bute Council has no plans, nor has Aberdeenshire, although the prospect is being debated by Aberdeen City Council.
Only Western Isles, of the three island councils, has a bus service inhouse, albeit on a small scale.
More reading:
Under 22s free bus travel: Fewer than third issued with pass
Under 22s free bus travel: Here’s how to apply and what you need to know
Young people in north and north-east still snubbing SNP’s free bus travel scheme
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