BUS PASSES
BUS PASSES

Jackie Baillie has criticised the SNP’s “botched” young person’s bus pass scheme as new figures reveal less than half of those eligible in West Dunbartonshire had successfully applied.

Data obtained by Scottish Labour reveal that, out of the 16,000 who qualify for the passes in the region, just over 8000 have one, four months after the flagship scheme was launched and two years after it was first announced.

This follows a shambolic launch in January, in which the then Transport Minister, Graeme Dey, bizarrely discouraged young people from applying, with many applicants raising concerns about the burdensome and complex process.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP was contacted by several constituents who said that they had problems applying for the card for their child which offers free bus travel across Scotland for those aged under 22.

Take up across Scotland continues to lag including in Argyll and Bute with just 21.6 percent of those eligible successfully applying.

However, the figure is over 80 per cent in Labour-run Inverclyde Council, which led the way in co-ordinating applications through schools and helping people apply.

Labour called for the process to be streamlined and for Councils across Scotland to be supported by the Scottish Government to put an end to the postcode lottery.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP said: “Free bus passes for young people should have been a good news story. Due to poor management however, these dire figures are humiliating for the SNP and the Greens.

“With less than half of eligible young people in West Dunbartonshire and just over a fifth in Argyll and Bute receiving their pass, this is embarrassing for a scheme which has been talked about for years.

“This botched scheme represents a huge missed opportunity. This could have made a massive difference to families during a cost of living crisis and encouraged young people to use public transport in a bid to tackle the climate emergency.

“Labour-run Inverclyde Council has led the way and proved that their approach works. The Scottish Government must streamline the process and support other Councils to end the postcode lottery.”

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