No specific assessment has been undertaken. However, improving young people’s access to sport remains a priority, and a key element of this is the nationwide free bus travel scheme for under-22s, which aims to reduce travel barriers for children and young people, including those in rural and island communities.

Through the under-22s concessionary scheme, eligible young people can travel at no cost on registered bus services, helping to ease the financial burden of travelling to training sessions, matches, and competitions. This is part of a wider Scottish Government investment in bus services and concessionary travel, which will rise to over £530 million in 2026–27. In addition to this, sportscotland works with local authorities and island communities to improve access to facilities and support athlete travel. This includes the Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS), which provides up to £1,500 to help schools, sports clubs, and talented athletes with travel and accommodation for mainland training and competitions.

Most local bus services operate commercially, with operators determining routes and frequency. Local authorities can also subsidise services they consider socially necessary, at their discretion; £56 million on subsidised services in 2023–24. Community transport may also be provided locally by schools, local authorities, or community groups, supported through the local government finance settlement, and annual funding to Community Transport Association Scotland.