SNP says Scotland saved from bus fare rises

FIGURES SHOW SCOTLAND PROTECTED FROM SUBSTANTIAL BUS FARE HIKES

The SNP claim that new statistics have shown that bus passengers in Scotland have been protected from large rises in fares experienced south of the border.

They say that figures published by Transport Scotland show that adjusted for inflation, bus fares across Scotland have increased by only 7.9% since 2001 compared to an increase of 21.8% in the same period across Britain.

Meanwhile the same publication also shows that the level of Government support provided to bus companies in Scotland in the last five years increased by 14% compared to only a 12% increase across Britain.

Commenting, SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald who sits on the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee said:-

“These statistics are a positive demonstration of the good deal that people in Scotland get from bus services here.

“With household budgets already under strain, I know that people across Scotland will find the fact that fares have not rocketed here in the way they have south of the border extremely welcome.

“If we are to meet Scotland’s world leading carbon emission reduction targets then encouraging people to travel by bus where possible is of course a critical part of meeting our goals. Clearly the price of bus fares plays a very significant role in encouraging people onto Scotland’s buses.

“Ensuring that the right support is in place for the bus services that so many people across Scotland rely on is hugely important and these statistics show the good work that is being done.”