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12,000 YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RUTHERGLEN CONSTITUENCY TO BENEFIT FROM FREE BUS TRAVEL

An estimated 12,000 young people across the Rutherglen Scottish parliamentary constituency are set to benefit from free bus travel to be introduced by the Scottish Government.

The new concessionary scheme was set out in the Scottish Government’s Budget – and will give free bus travel to those aged 18 and under.

Latest figures produced by National Records of Scotland estimate there were 11,830 people aged between 5 and 18 in the constituency – which includes the communities in Rutherglen, Cambuslang, Halfway and Blantyre – in 2018.

The Scottish Government will undertake work on design and due diligence with a view to introducing such a scheme in January 2021.

Welcoming the move, local MSP Clare Haughey said:

“Free bus travel will be an enormous benefit to young people in Rutherglen and Cambuslang – keeping money in their pockets and improving their opportunities to work, study and socialise.

“Encouraging the use of public transport is an essential part of Scotland’s world-leading efforts to tackle the climate emergency.

“Concessionary travel has brought enormous benefits to those aged over 60 and I’m delighted that it will now be extended to young people.”

ENDS