Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 25 July 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27671 by Jim Fairlie on 4 June 2024, when it plans to roll out the national pilot scheme to provide free bus travel to people seeking asylum, and what plans it has to evaluate the impact of the scheme.
Development of a national pilot scheme to provide travel support for people seeking asylum and not currently eligible for the existing National Concessionary Travel Schemes continues with the Working Group. Further information will be published on the Scottish Government website and provided to third sector organisations as preparations for the pilot to open are made.
The scheme will build on learning from the small local and regional pilots that have been delivered by third sector organisations over recent years. Expected learning from the scheme includes impact of providing free bus travel, demand for this concession, the cost of providing this concession, and the practicalities of delivery of such a scheme at the national level.