Lanarkshire MSP backs her party’s call for £2 cap on bus fares

Central Scotland Green MSP Gillian Mackay, in a strong show of support, has backed her party’s recent call for a £2 cap on bus fares. Mackay firmly believes that this cap could potentially save regular commuters in Lanarkshire hundreds of pounds, while also improving the accessibility of local bus services in the region. The Green party is urging the Scottish Government to consider piloting such a measure as part of the upcoming budget to make public transportation more affordable and to safeguard and enhance bus services.

Furthermore, the Greens highlight the success of the free bus travel initiative for individuals under 22, which has resulted in over 730,000 young people taking more than 140 million free bus journeys since its implementation in 2022. They argue that introducing a £2 fare cap would allow more people to access journeys that are currently financially out of reach, benefiting workers, regular commuters, and individuals visiting friends and family in the area.

MSP Gillian Mackay stressed the importance of reducing the cost of bus travel to encourage more people to choose public transportation over private vehicles, leading to a reduction in pollution. She emphasised that the current bus fares in Lanarkshire act as a significant barrier for many individuals and that a fare cap could make a significant difference in promoting bus usage and reducing the overall cost of living for residents in the region.

The proposal for a fare cap comes at a time when the Poverty Alliance has called on the Scottish Government to provide more support to local councils in bringing bus services back under local control. This move follows years of increasing fares and reduction in bus routes, which have disproportionately impacted individuals on low incomes. The aim is to make buses more affordable, reliable, and better aligned with the needs of the community.

As discussions continue ahead of the budget announcement in the Scottish Parliament on December 4, Transport Scotland has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to engaging with all parties to ensure a robust and inclusive budget. The potential implementation of a fare cap on bus fares could mark a significant step towards creating a more sustainable, accessible, and affordable public transportation system in Lanarkshire.

In conclusion, the proposed £2 cap on bus fares in Lanarkshire has garnered strong support from Green MSP Gillian Mackay and her party, with the aim of making public transport more affordable and efficient for residents in the region. This initiative could not only benefit regular commuters but also contribute to reducing pollution and addressing issues of inequality in access to transportation services. It remains to be seen how the Scottish Government will respond to this proposal and whether it will be included in the forthcoming budget announcement.