Minister proposes stripping free bus passes from anti-social passengers

Neil Pooran & Lynn Love & Nicholas Malizia

27 November 2024 at 4:28 pm·2-min read

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop supported a proposal to remove bus passes from anti-social passengers. — -Credit: (Image: Flickr Creative Commons/ricky_yuan_7700)

A Scottish minister has supported a proposal to remove free bus passes from passengers who exhibit anti-social behaviour.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the Government is exploring the legal means for suspending concessionary bus passes from people who behave badly while riding the bus.

This came after Labour's Claire Baker motion on addressing the abuse of bus drivers was debated by Scottish Parliament, reports the Record.

Ms Baker said violence against drivers is "never acceptable", referring to a survey from the Unite union which found 84 per cent of Scottish bus drivers have experienced more abuse at work over the last year.

Her motion supported the provision of free bus travel for those under 22, but called on the Government to "remove access to concessionary bus passes from individuals who repeatedly carry out anti-social behaviour".

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Ms Hyslop said the Government would support the Labour motion, as she described the results of the Unite survey as "concerning".

A working group on anti-social behaviour is due to report by the end of the year, she added.

Ms Hyslop said: "While much of the focus is on young people, I must stress that it is a very small minority who misuse the young persons' free bus travel scheme. We are developing a behaviour code with the intention it will cover all concessionary bus passengers."

The minister went on to say that concessionary bus passengers may have to sign a code of conduct in order to receive their pass.

She added: "We are examining the legal means to suspend concessionary passes for persistent anti-social behaviour of anyone of any age, as announced last December.

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