Chamber and committees

Does any other member have any comments? Monica, I see that you have your hand up.

Sorry, do you have other questions?

I think that you had some other questions.

Douglas, I think that you have a question.

I just want to chime in and say that I would support such a pilot in the Highlands, if we had enough buses available, but we do not.

As I said at the beginning, I have been looking at these concessionary fare instruments since 2016, and coming as I do from a region where we rely on ferries as much as we do on buses—or the people on the islands do—I am disappointed every year not to see any concessionary fares for people on islands. It is very difficult for us to vote against this instrument, given that it is, I hope, driving us towards our net zero targets, but why, oh why are we not doing more for the island buses—that is, ferries?

Of course, we could do a whole heap of things if we had more money, but sometimes we just need to make sure that the money is equitably split among the people who are using services. Islanders continue to write to me, asking why ferries cannot be viewed as buses are.

As there are no more questions, I ask the minister to sum up and respond to the debate, if he so wishes.

Thank you, Sarah. Over to Kevin Stewart.

Okay. Kevin has given way, which is interesting.

Agenda item 2 is consideration of a statutory instrument—the draft National Bus Travel Concession Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2025. The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee made no comment on the order in its report.

I welcome Jim Fairlie, the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, and the Scottish Government officials who are joining us for this item. We have Carole Stewart, head of bus strategy and funding policy; Gary McIntyre, economist for bus, active travel and low-carbon economics; and Bettina Sizeland, director of bus, accessibility and active travel, all from Transport Scotland.

The instrument has been laid under the affirmative procedure, which means that it cannot come into force unless the Parliament approves it. Following the evidence session, the committee will be invited to consider a motion to recommend that the instrument be approved. I remind everyone that the Scottish Government officials may speak under this item, but not under the debate that will follow.

Minister, I think that you are going to make a short opening statement. I say “short” every time in the hope that, one day, it will be. Minister, over to you.

David is itching to come in.