15,405 young people in the Motherwell and Wishaw constituency will benefit from free bus travel to be introduced by the SNP Scottish Government in January 2021.
The new concessionary scheme was set out in the Scottish Government’s budget, which will give free bus travel to those aged 18 and under.
Latest figures produced by National Records of Scotland estimate there were 15,405 people aged between 5 and 18 in the Motherwell and Wishaw constituency in 2018.
The Scottish Government will undertake work on design and due diligence with a view to introducing such a scheme in January 2021.
Commenting, SNP MP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Marion Fellows said:
“Free bus travel will be an enormous benefit to the 15,405 young people across the constituency – keeping money in their pockets and improving their opportunities to work, study and socialise.
“While free bus travel will be universal, the step will particularly benefit those families feeling the pressure of rising costs of living by alleviating some transport costs.
“Alongside the £500 million investment in bus infrastructure previously announced by the Scottish Government, this radical and innovative approach will help deliver a step change in the use of public transport.
“Encouraging the use of public transport is an essential part of our world-leading efforts to tackle the climate emergency and protecting our environment.
“Concessionary travel has brought enormous benefits to those aged over 60 and I’m confident that young people will now also reap the benefits.”