84,000 Edinburgh young people would get free bus travel under Green plans to extend no-cost fares to under-30s
Around 84,000 young people in Edinburgh would get free bus travel under plans by the Scottish Greens to extend no-cost fares to everyone under 30.
The party said altogether more than 500,000 young people across Scotland would benefit if the policy was implemented as part of this year’s Green budget proposals to the Scottish Government.
The Greens previously secured free bus travel for under-22s as part of the 2021 budget deal. Now they are calling on the SNP to expand the scheme to take in all those under 30.
They say the move would build upon the 250 million free journeys taken by under-22s since the concession was brought in.
Scottish Greens spokesperson for transport, Mark Ruskell said: “The roll out of free bus travel for everyone under 22 is one of the clearest achievements of the Scottish Parliament to date.
“Thanks to this groundbreaking Green policy, hundreds of thousands of young people are able to jump on board Scotland’s buses for free - saving money, accessing new opportunities, and cutting emissions.
“But we all know the cost of living crisis doesn’t stop for people when they turn 22. Too many young workers are trapped in a cycle of soaring living costs and insecure work, and the last thing they should have to worry about is if they can afford the cost of their commute.
“That’s why, as part of this year’s budget, we’re calling on the Scottish Government to build on the success of the free bus scheme by extending it to everyone under 30. This expansion would give half a million more young people free bus travel in Scotland.
“Cheap public transport is a win-win for people and planet, and our project must be expanded to ensure that more people can choose to commute in a way that saves money and cuts congestion.”
EMBARGOED 00:01, Sunday 28th December 2025