England’s refusal to trial free bus travel for under-22s isn’t really about affordability, it’s about placing priorities elsewhere. While young people in Scotland enjoy free travel across the country, their peers south of the border are still being told this same policy is “unaffordable.” Scotland has already shown that such schemes can work, providing a model that England could follow, but has chosen not to.
In Scotland, free bus travel for those under 22 has been in place since January 2022. The scheme was designed to reduce social inequality, encourage public transport use to tackle climate change, and make life easier for students and young workers on tight budgets. By May 2023, over 635,000 young people had signed up, making more than 68 million journeys. A year-one evaluation demonstrated that 78 per cent of users took the bus weekly, and that social travel rose by 12 per cent. Jenny Gilruth, the transport minister, described this as “transformative and in some cases life-changing for young people and families across Scotland”.
This scheme isn’t just about convenience, it’s about opportunity. Reliable transport gives young people access to education, jobs, and social activities, supporting mental health, independence, and social cohesion. For students, a bus pass can mean the difference between accepting a part-time job across town or being confined to home due to transport costs. For many young workers in low-paid roles, regular bus travel is essential to get to shifts without spending a disproportionate amount of income on travel.
Yet, the UK government has dismissed similar proposals in England as “unaffordable,” despite evidence of wider social and environmental benefits. With rising living costs, unstable work and regional inequalities, travel for young people has increasingly become a barrier rather than a convenience. Subsidised travel should be considered an investment that can reduce inequality, promote independence, and encourage sustainable habits—outcomes that may save money long term by easing congestion, cutting pollution, and reducing reliance on parental support.
Scotland sees youth transport access as a social investment, whereas England treats it as an optional expense. Bus journeys outside London have fallen 22 per cent since 2009, leaving young people with fewer options and higher costs. This is particularly striking in cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, where congestion, limited routes, and rising fares are increasingly problematic for students and low-income households.
For university students balancing rent, study and part-time work, every bus fare adds up. In Edinburgh, it’s easy to see how free travel broadens access to opportunities otherwise limited by expensive fares.
Transport accessibility should therefore be a national priority. Free bus travel for under-22s isn’t a luxury but a practical step toward a fairer, greener, and more connected society. Instead of dismissing the idea as “unaffordable,” England should look to Scotland’s success and recognise what is possible with the right priorities.
Photo by Semyon Borisov on Unsplash
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Free Bus Travel: England Should Follow Scotland’s Lead
England’s refusal to trial free bus travel for under-22s isn’t really about affordability, it’s about placing priorities elsewhere. While young people in Scotland enjoy free travel across the country, their peers south of the border are still being told this same policy is “unaffordable.” Scotland has already shown that such schemes can work, providing a model that England could follow, but has chosen not to.
In Scotland, free bus travel for those under 22 has been in place since January 2022. The scheme was designed to reduce social inequality, encourage public transport use to tackle climate change, and make life easier for students and young workers on tight budgets. By May 2023, over 635,000 young people had signed up, making more than 68 million journeys. A year-one evaluation demonstrated that 78 per cent of users took the bus weekly, and that social travel rose by 12 per cent. Jenny Gilruth, the transport minister, described this as “transformative and in some cases life-changing for young people and families across Scotland”.
This scheme isn’t just about convenience, it’s about opportunity. Reliable transport gives young people access to education, jobs, and social activities, supporting mental health, independence, and social cohesion. For students, a bus pass can mean the difference between accepting a part-time job across town or being confined to home due to transport costs. For many young workers in low-paid roles, regular bus travel is essential to get to shifts without spending a disproportionate amount of income on travel.
Yet, the UK government has dismissed similar proposals in England as “unaffordable,” despite evidence of wider social and environmental benefits. With rising living costs, unstable work and regional inequalities, travel for young people has increasingly become a barrier rather than a convenience. Subsidised travel should be considered an investment that can reduce inequality, promote independence, and encourage sustainable habits—outcomes that may save money long term by easing congestion, cutting pollution, and reducing reliance on parental support.
Scotland sees youth transport access as a social investment, whereas England treats it as an optional expense. Bus journeys outside London have fallen 22 per cent since 2009, leaving young people with fewer options and higher costs. This is particularly striking in cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, where congestion, limited routes, and rising fares are increasingly problematic for students and low-income households.
For university students balancing rent, study and part-time work, every bus fare adds up. In Edinburgh, it’s easy to see how free travel broadens access to opportunities otherwise limited by expensive fares.
Transport accessibility should therefore be a national priority. Free bus travel for under-22s isn’t a luxury but a practical step toward a fairer, greener, and more connected society. Instead of dismissing the idea as “unaffordable,” England should look to Scotland’s success and recognise what is possible with the right priorities.
Photo by Semyon Borisov on Unsplash
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