Transport costs hold back Sutherland's young people
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Help at Hand column
Young people have been particularly hard hit by job disruption as a result of the pandemic.
Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that under-25s, especially women, have been hit harder economically than any other age group.
They have a higher chance of furlough, precarious employment, unemployment, and are the most likely to work in low-paid sectors such as hospitality and retail.
But, even before the pandemic, too many people in Sutherland lost out on vital opportunities because they could not afford the cost of the limited public transport available. Between 2014 and 2019 bus fares rose by 18 per cent, while the value of social security payments fell, and wages stagnated.
A new campaign has now been launched, calling on Scotland’s political parties to commit to extending free bus travel to everyone receiving Universal Credit (or other low-income benefits), and to everyone under the age of 25.
The Everyone Aboard campaign – coordinated by the Poverty Alliance and supported by a range of children’s charities, anti-poverty groups, trade unions and environmental organisations – is also highlighting how greater use of public transport is vital if Scotland is to meet its climate change goals.
The Scottish Youth Parliament found that young people would be more likely to use the bus if fares were less expensive. Extending free bus travel to all young people under-25 would accelerate the use of bus services instead of cars.
Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Greater access to free bus transport is not only good for the environment, but will help tackle poverty, reduce geographical inequalities and help increase access to essential services.
“The next Scottish Parliament has the chance to build a Scotland for all of us, one where no one is left behind. On the road to recovery, we can make sure everyone has a seat, by providing free bus travel to everyone receiving Universal Credit (or other low-income benefits) and to everyone under the age of 25.”
In addition to these proposals, we know that here in Sutherland our communities are concerned about the frequency, availability and reliability of public transport services as well as high fare prices. We’ll continue to work with Sutherland Community Partnership as they address these concerns.
Rachel MacDonell is the manager of East and Central Sutherland CAB.
