This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Just the ticket for nation's youth
09/11/2006
A concessionary travel scheme for young Scots covering buses, trains and ferries will be introduced in Janaury, it was announced today.
It will:
- give all 16-18 year olds living in Scotland a third off single bus fares across the country
- give 16-18 year olds a free rail card entitling them to a third off rail travel within Scotland
- And give 16-18 year olds who are resident on islands two free return journeys to the mainland each year
Ministers have also decided that full-time volunteers up to the age of 25 who are actively contributing to their community will be included in the scheme.
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"This government has already led the UK with a free travel scheme for our elderly. It has been a resounding success and now we want to provide help to our younger generation.
"Cheaper travel will help young people to make greater use of public transport. It will make it a more attractive option and give them greater freedom. I am sure this scheme will also be warmly welcomed by parents.
"There are two main strands to what we are doing here. I want to see us continue to provide major improvements to public transport across Scotland. Projects such as new railway lines, major road improvements, new railway stations and new links to airports. And as we do this I want to make it easier for the young and the elderly to make greater use of this improved transport system."
Transport Minister Tavish Scott said:
"This is a great scheme for Scotland. A third off bus journeys, a third off rail journeys, and two free ferry journeys - this devolved government is delivering for Scotland's young people.
"We said we wanted to improve access to public transport for everyone in Scotland, old and young. And that is exactly what we are doing.
"This new concessionary scheme will open up new opportunities and make a real difference to young people's lives. It will give them access to work, education and social activities at a fraction of the normal cost. That is great news for young Scots across the country."
It is intended that all those eligible will be able to access the discounts available through their National Entitlement Card once the Smartcard technology is fully rolled out across the Scottish bus fleet.
In the meantime, an interim card will be issued to all eligible applicants from January 2007 which must be used to access the bus discount.
A text and web service to be launched in January will give young people information on how they can apply for the discounts via their local authority.
The scheme is expected to cost between 27 million and 30 million per year depending on take-up, which will be reviewed as is standard practice at the next spending review.
By the time the scheme is launched in January, the Scottish Executive will be investing 70 per cent of the £1.5 billion a year it spends on transport on improving public transport choices.