Gordon Macdonald marks Challenge Poverty Week with focus on transport

SNP CONCESSIONARY BUS TRAVEL SCHEMES HELPING TO TACKLE POVERTY IN EDINBURGH

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has said that the SNP Scottish Government’s policy of free bus travel for under 22s, over 60s and disabled people is helping to tackle poverty in Edinburgh.

This year’s Challenge Poverty Week (7th-13th October) is placing an emphasis on key themes each day, highlighting the injustice of poverty in Scotland and showing that policy interventions can make a huge difference in alleviating poverty.

Tuesday’s focus on transport is to ensure that people can get to where they need to go – enabling access to employment, education and essential services.

Scotland has the most generous concessionary fare scheme in the UK, with more than 2.3 million people eligible for free bus travel. The SNP Scottish Government’s firm commitment to bus travel continues with almost £430 million in funding for concessionary travel planned for 2024-25.

Recent figures show that young people across Scotland have now made over 150 million journeys using the Free Bus Travel Scheme since it was introduced by the SNP in 2022.

Commenting, SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “Good, affordable public transport enables people to access jobs, education and training which can raise household income and protect people from being swept into poverty or pulled in deeper.

“Action taken by the SNP Scottish Government has ensured that over 235,000 people, including those often on the lowest incomes, can access free bus travel throughout the City of Edinburgh.  With more than 2.3million benefiting across Scotland.

“This free bus travel makes a huge difference to the lives of young, disabled and older people in Edinburgh – removing a significant barrier to escaping poverty and opening up employment, education, social and leisure opportunities.

“Whilst the new Labour government at Westminster seem determined to push more people into poverty by following the Tories’ austerity agenda, the SNP Scottish Government is committed to using all its powers to improve people’s lives and to eradicate poverty.”