Strathspey MSP welcomes pledge of free bus travel for youngsters
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Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing has welcomed a budget announcement for free bus travel across Scotland for youngsters.
The latest figures estimate there were around 67,300 people aged between five and 18 in the Highlands and Islands region in 2018.
The Scottish Government has said it hopes to introduce the scheme in January 2021.
Mr Ewing said: “Free bus travel will be an enormous benefit to young people living in the Highlands and Islands region where many often live in some of Scotland’s most rural and remote locations.
"This will keep money in their pockets and improve upon their opportunities to work, study and socialise across the region.
“The Scottish Government has introduced this radical approach to help deliver a step change in the use of public transport alongside an investment of £500 million into bus infrastructure across Scotland.
“Encouraging the use of public transport and connecting rural areas of Scotland with better transport links is an essential part of our world-leading efforts to tackle climate change.
“Concessionary travel has brought enormous benefits to those aged over 60 and I’m delighted that it will now be extended to young people.”
