Date of £2 bus fare cap being extended to Glasgow area revealed
Move follows trial in Highlands launched in spring
Bus fares will be capped at £2 across Glasgow and surrounding areas from next Monday, September 7, The Scotsman has learned.
The date, which was confirmed by John Swinney as part of his Programme for Government on Tuesday, is nearly a week later than the expiry of the First Minister’s pledge to introduce the measure within 100 days of a new SNP government.
The launch was originally planned for Tuesday September 2 - the day after the 100 days ran out - but was found to be undeliverable, it is understood.
The bus industry has repeatedly expressed concerns about the lack of consultation over the move, which would cover an area where about half the Scottish population lives.
Mr Swinney also pledged during the election campaign to extend the cap to the whole of Scotland by the end of the current Scottish Parliament in 2031.
He said during the election campaign ahead of the May vote that the cap to “would be extended” to Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire and Inverclyde “within the first 100 days” of a new SNP government.
The Scottish government has since repeatedly changed its position on when the 100 days were to expire, latterly stating it would be on Tuesday Sept 1.
The west of Scotland extension follows a trial in the Highlands and Islands, Argyll & Bute and Moray which started in the spring.
Some 40 per cent of Scots are already entitled to free bus travel, including the over 60s and under 22s.
Bus industry leaders are also sceptical that capping fares would encourage significantly more travel as they said the frequency, speed, reliability and convenience of services were more significant factors for passengers.
The start date was revealed by a First Glasgow bus driver on the social media platform Reddit.
They wrote: “A single journey to anywhere including the airport will now be £2 as of 07/09.
“Return tickets will be no more. Just now a return is £5.95, and 2 singles are £6.50. Next week, 2 singles will cost just £4. No change to child singles or all day tickets.”
An industry source told The Scotsman: “I can confirm that the start date is Sept 7.”
However, they added that Transport Scotland had still to tell bus operators how they would be reimbursed under the scheme, or wait for them to agree to participate.
They said: “It raises the question as to exactly how voluntary the scheme is if the First Minister creates an expectation among passengers that it will start next week.
“It may well be that the grant offer letter will be fine and operators agree to go ahead, but it is wrong for ministers to remove the opportunity for operators to come to that decision themselves just to meet their own self-imposed timeline.”
Paul White, Scotland director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents bus operators, said: “We welcome investment in bus services and the £2 fare cap is an eye-catching initiative that could attract new passengers while helping existing customers manage the cost of travel.
“However, fares are only part of the picture. To deliver the reliable services passengers expect, we also need measures that keep buses out of congestion, improve journey times and reduce operating costs.
“Without action on bus speeds and reliability, a fares-only approach will not address the wider challenges facing the network.
“While there is funding for this financial year, it is important that operators have early clarity about what comes next.
“This will allow them to plan services effectively and ensure the scheme supports the long-term sustainability of the bus network.”
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said late on Tuesday: “We have engaged closely with bus operators on the £2 fare cap scheme and grant offer letters are now being issued.
“Participation in the scheme is voluntary and operators will make their own decisions on joining based on the terms offered.
“The cost of living remains one of the biggest challenges facing households across Scotland, which is why making public transport more affordable through the £2 bus fare cap is such an important priority for the Scottish government.
“The £2 bus fare will start this coming Monday morning with participating operators in the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport area.”
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