Rising cost for bus operators as a result of free travel entitlement for young people: FOI release

Information requested

“What costs if any have arisen in relation to additional PVR (per vehicle retail), peak vehicle requirement, for bus operators as a result of the free travel entitlement for young people in Scotland. Are there any claims in place relating to such costs, in addition to any that may have been settled.”

Response

As outlined in page nine of the scheme’s Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA), and page six for of the 19-22 amendment order BRIA, Transport Scotland has acknowledged an increased patronage may increase the peak vehicle resource requirements of bus operators. However, given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on bus usage, this is not currently identified as an issue. This will be kept under active review. Transport Scotland have committed to reviewing the Young Persons Scheme after the first full year of operation. There have been no claims in relation to such costs to date.

As the bus sector in Scotland is deregulated, queries relating to costs incurred by bus operators should be sent to operators directly.

About FOI

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