£2 bus fare cap comes into force across Strathclyde region

The Scottish Government’s £2 bus fare cap has launched across the Strathclyde region today.

The fee applies to a single journey on participating services across Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.

The move comes after agreement was made with various transport firms and follows an initial phase in the Highlands and Islands.

The SNP administration has pledged to deliver the fare cap across the country as a cost-of-living measure, but must work with local operators to do so. Legislation has been promised by the end of this parliament.

Today’s introduction covers much of the west of the country but Transport Scotland has said there is “no confirmed rollout schedule” for other areas.

The scheme does not affect free concessionary travel for older or young people with entitlement cards or those with disabilities, and an extra charge is levied for journeys that continue outside the fare cap area.

A total of 25 bus firms are taking part from today, including big players First Glasgow, McGill's and Stagecoach. More are expected to follow in the coming weeks and it is hoped the scheme will increase passenger numbers.

Andy Cullen, regional director of First Bus in Scotland, said: “We look forward to welcoming our regular customers on board and seeing more people discover the value of using the bus in their daily travel across Glasgow and the wider region.

“We will continue to work in partnership with the government to ensure the £2 fare cap is a success and reinforces the important role of buses in keeping people, families and communities connected to jobs, education, training, healthcare and leisure.”

The UK Government has said it will cap single fares across England, outwith London, at £2 for a year from the start of January.

On the Scottish scheme, First Minister John Swinney commented: “The cost of living remains one of the biggest challenges facing households across Scotland, so making public transport more affordable is all the more important.

"The launch of the £2 bus fare cap across Strathclyde means that more people can get where they need to go with more money in their pocket – that is clear action to help people save money during a cost-of-living crisis.

"Following the successful rollout across the Highlands and Islands, this expansion is the next major step towards our ambition of delivering a national rollout of £2 bus fares, ensuring they apply in every area in Scotland.

"Bus travel remains the most widely used form of public transport in Scotland and we are working to make it as affordable, accessible and attractive as possible. This is vital to grow the economy, travel sustainably and protect the planet.”

Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Patrick Harvie said his party had “fought hard” for the fare cap, saying it had “secured this policy in the first place”.

The Glasgow MSP said: “The £2 bus fare cap is the next step towards a public transport system that is free and accessible to everyone, and ultimately brought back into public control.

“The expansion to Strathclyde is a major step forward, but it must not become an excuse for further delay elsewhere.”