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MSP hails free bus travel for young people in Sutherland as 'transformational'


By Philip Murray

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MSP Ariane Burgess, of the Scottish Green Party. Picture: James Mackenzie.
MSP Ariane Burgess, of the Scottish Green Party. Picture: James Mackenzie.

FREE bus travel for young people will be "transformational" for those in Sutherland and the wider Highlands, a local MSP believes.

Ariane Burgess, who is the Scottish Greens' Highlands and Islands MSP was speaking following the announcement that people aged 21 or under will be able to catch a bus for free with a concessionary travel card from January.

She said the measure had been secured by the Scottish Greens during budget negotiations.

“Free bus travel for young people in the Highlands is not only a transformational policy in terms of family budgets, it will open up opportunities for young people, and can help shift people out of cars, aiding efforts to tackle the climate emergency," she said.

"What's more, as we recover from the pandemic, this policy will be vital in encouraging people back onto public transport safely to ensure we see a green recovery."

“The Scottish Greens believe public transport should be free at the point of use and serve all our communities, and in January we will see a major step forward to this aim.”

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