Question reference: S6W-05885
- Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 25 January 2022
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Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 7 February 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons all young people who are eligible for the Young Persons’ (Under-22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme are required to apply for a new bus pass.
Answer
New cards are required to access the scheme as previously issued cards will not have the necessary digital travel product encoded on them. This is needed so that bus journeys under the scheme can be recorded so that the Scottish Government can accurately reimburse operators for the fare. New cards allow for differentiation between journeys made under 16 year olds and over 16 year olds, which are reimbursed at different rates. They also implement the parental or guardian approval requirements that are in place for 5-15 year olds to access the scheme.