TramForward calls for extension of free travel scheme to trams and underground

While TramForward congratulates the Scottish Government for adopting the Greens’ policy of providing free bus travel for under 22-year-olds as a means of encouraging the habit of using public transport, it is concerned about the effect this will have on public transport as a whole. Buses do not fulfil the complete public transport picture and TramForward strongly supports the call by Edinburgh’s Councillor McVey to provide free transport for under 22s on urban rail-based transport.

TramForward advocates full integration of all forms of local public transport. Applying concessions to one mode only will distort the market and will discourage people from selecting the most appropriate mode for their journey. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and Transport for Edinburgh (TfE) have already drawn attention to the negative effect the policy as it stands will have on the Glasgow Subway and Edinburgh Trams.

Vic MacKinlay, Light Rail Transit Association Liaison Officer for Eastern Scotland, said “TramForward calls on the Finance Secretary to fund free travel on green, renewable and particulate-free tram and underground travel as well as road based public transport. This would greatly improve the quality and ease of travel available to often low-waged or unwaged younger people”.