Green MSP hails free Moray buses
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FREE bus travel for everyone under 22 has "opened up our community and our country" for young people in Moray, according to a Green MSP.
Since the scheme was launched in January last year, a total of 9888 young people in Moray have now taken 722,600 free journeys.
Ariane Burgess, a list MSP whose ward includes Moray, said: "I'm delighted so many have signed up for their free bus pass.
"It's also helping families in a cost-of-living crisis and cutting our emissions by reducing the numbers of cars on the road."
Scotland is the only country in the UK to have the scheme, which was introduced following negotiations between the Scottish Greens and the SNP.
About 60% of all young people in Moray have received their bus passes.
While across Scotland almost 670,000 young people have taken a combined total of 84 million free journeys.
Ms Burgess said: "It’s having a huge impact. There will be families in Moray who have already saved hundreds of pounds.
"Public transport is for all of us. It should not cost the earth.
"That is why we are building on this with a pilot programme to remove peak rail fares for the next six months and launching a £5 million community bus fund to support rural services across Scotland.
"I’m also calling for the free transport offer to be extended to ferries.
"I want every young person to have these same fantastic opportunities. I would encourage all of those who have yet to do so to visit Freebus.scot and register for their card today."
