Graham Simpson MSP, the Scottish Conservative spokesman for transport, has set out ideas for how to make Scotland’s existing transport system easier to use.
At the Scottish Conservative Conference in Aberdeen last weekend, he proposed an extension of the £2 bus fare cap, which was introduced in parts of England in January 2023. The scheme has been repeatedly extended due to its success and popularity. The Central Scotland MSP urged Scottish ministers to follow England’s lead.
Graham Simpson MSP said: “Bus fares are rising and there is great disparity across Scotland. You can get a bus in Edinburgh for £2 bus fare but a single from Huntly to Elgin can set you back £10.40.
“In January 2023, that £2 bus fare cap was introduced in England to protect and improve bus services south of the border. The scheme provides discounted travel across 5000-plus routes and has been applied across 130 companies.
Replicating the fare cap would reinvigorate public transport use in Scotland, help the economy and the environment and protect against the decline of much-needed services.”
He also proposed a tap-in tap-out payment system for rail across Scotland. Pay-as-you-go rail ticketing is being rolled out across the South East, with pilots coming to the West Midlands and Greater Manchester.
Another proposal related to a “multi-modal smart ticketing” system across Scotland which would let people pay seamlessly for travel by train, bus, tram and hire bikes.
Graham Simpson MSP said: “The Scottish Conservatives want to make travel easier for everyone. We want a bus fare cap, tap on and off trains, smart ticketing, and a digital easy pay system.
“Many of these solutions already exist. Scotland is years behind – the technology exists now, and we should be using it.”
