The Young Persons (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme is now available in Scotland since January 31.
Transport Scotland is introducing the scheme for children and youth aged 5-21.
Children under five years old already have the capability of travelling free of charge.
To be eligible, you need to have either a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) or a Young Scot NEC with a free bus travel indication on it.
People already having a Young Scot NEC should apply for a replacement with the added free bus travel product, otherwise, they will be charged for their tickets.
The product is a chip inside the card and should be scanned when getting on the bus to receive a receipt.
People who are 16 and over can complete the NEC application themselves, while children under 16 must have their parents or guardians apply for them.
Credit: @YoungScot on Twitter
Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister, said: “We are committed to giving our young people the very best chances to succeed in life.
“The extension of free bus travel to all under 22s will improve access to education, leisure, and work, while supporting the adoption of sustainable travel behaviours early in their lives.”
Transport Scotland reveals 61 per cent of young Scots believe free bus travel will help fight the climate change.
Stewart, a YoungScot volunteer, commented: “Free bus travel for young people in Scotland is a fantastic way to help tackle the climate emergency – an issue that’s so important to young people as we are the generation who will be most impacted.”
Also commenting,
Evelyn Tweed MSP for Stirling said: “I am thrilled that nearly 19,000 young people in this constituency now have access to a scheme which has potential to transform bus travel and improve the lives of many children, young people and families.
“Extending free bus travel helps connects more people to education, leisure, and work opportunities. It also allows people to make a choice to travel sustainably, which we know is something young people care about.
“Increasing bus use will also help us reach our world-leading goal of cutting the number of kilometres travelled by car by 20% by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions by 2045.”
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Transport Scotland is requesting only travelling for essential purposes, e.g. to school or work.
Credit: @YoungScot on Twitter
You can apply for the scheme via the website http://www.getyournec.scot
Featured Image Credit: @YoungScot on Twitter
she/they
Film, media & journalism student
[…] week marked a year since the scheme was introduced. Since the 31st January last year, young people 21 and under have been able to use their National […]