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John Swinney ‘must come clean’ over £2 bus fare cap as not all companies signed up, say Labour

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The First Minister’s programme for government has flopped already, less than 24 hours after he announced it, as he faces letting down thousands of Scots over bus fares, according to the Scottish Daily Express

John Swinney during a visit to Inverness bus station to announce the rollout of £2 bus fare cap on Highlands transport network
John Swinney announced the rollout of a £2 bus fare cap on transport network

by LUCY ASHTON

John Swinney proudly announced that his promised £2 bus fare cap will be introduced in Strathclyde and the west of Scotland on Monday. But new revelations have shed doubt on this policy, with bus operators yet to agree deals with Transport Scotland to accept the proposals.

It is a voluntary scheme, so the likes of First Bus, McGill’s and CityLink can decide to opt out if the financial incentives are not enough.
Millions in public cash will be spent on bankrolling this policy, with private companies netting a windfall so that the First Minister can enjoy cheap headlines.
Scottish Labour has urged the SNP to “come clean” about whether this vow, which is already almost a week late from originally promised, will actually happen. It is due to be rolled out in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Lanarkshire and Inverclyde on Monday.

The Scottish Government must give a “cast iron guarantee” that the price cap will actually be in place by Monday, Scottish Labour has said. Transport spokesman Daniel Johnson, left, said: “It beggars belief that the SNP hasn’t actually done the work to deliver its big announcement on bus fares

“If the SNP government fails to deliver the fare cap promised by Monday, it would be an astonishing broken promise and an appalling start to the new term. John Swinney must come clean and clarify exactly how many bus operators are signed up to the scheme so far. The SNP must give a cast-iron guarantee that their policy will be delivered in full – for all local journeys across these regions. It’s time for John Swinney and the SNP to drop the spin and the gimmicks and focus on delivering for the people of Scotland.”

The £2 bus fare is not even an original SNP idea as it was stolen from the UK Conservative Government. It hasn’t stopped John Swinney from repeatedly boasting about it being brought in. It is being spearheaded by Transport and Economy Secretary Mr Flynn.

It is unlikely that it will be rolled out across the rest of Scotland until 2031, meaning a postcode lottery for buses. The FM’s Programme for Government document states the “national rollout of £2 bus fares” would be done “by the end of this parliament” in 2031.

Stephen Flynn MSP

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We have engaged closely with bus operators on the £2 fare cap scheme and grant offer letters are now being issued. Participation in the scheme is voluntary, and operators will make their own decisions on joining based on the terms offered.

“The cost of living remains one of the biggest challenges facing households across Scotland, which is why making public transport more affordable through the £2 bus fare cap is such an important priority for the Scottish Government.

The £2 bus fare will start this coming Monday morning with participating operators in the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport area.”

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