Free bus pass for disabled people will continue despite shake-up, MSPs told

DISABLED people will continue to receive a free bus pass despite a planned shake-up of the scheme, the Transport Minister has confirmed.

Humza Yousaf faced questions at Holyrood on Tuesday about proposed changes to the national concessionary travel scheme, which faces a £9.5 million cut in the 2017-18 draft budget.

Currently, the over-60s and disabled people are eligible for a free bus pass but Mr Yousaf said the government plans to consult on revamping the criteria to focus on those with the “greatest reliance” on free bus travel.

Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone called for the planned consultation to be scrapped and criticised the government for putting the plans forward while proposing to slash air passenger duty.

She said: “This government is about investing in unsustainable polluting transport methods and hitting those on the lowest budgets hardest. Won’t you just scrap this consultation now minister?”

Mr Yousaf claimed her argument that air travel was for a certain class of people was “crass” and said the consultation would go ahead.

He added: “We want to make sure that our successful concessionary bus travel scheme continues to benefit those who have the greatest reliance on free bus travel.”

He said the government plans to extend the scheme to young people on jobs grants and modern apprentices, and will look at the “longer-term sustainability of the scheme”.

He added: “Those that have a bus pass will keep that bus pass, that’s an absolute certainty, and they will still be eligible for the scheme. Those with a disability, there will be no change to them.”

Liberal Democrat Mike Rumbles said: “People will not be impressed by the SNP’s attempt to sweep changes about this under the carpet until after the council elections in May.

“What’s preventing the Scottish Government coming clean absolutely now so that people know where they stand on this?

“Are there other options on the table other than raising the age of eligibility? Is means-testing on or off or is this a universal benefit? Will there be a fee for the national entitlement card?”

Mr Yousaf said the consultation had been mentioned previously at Holyrood and the options were being discussed.

He said: “I think it would be very illiberal and very undemocratic if we didn’t go out to consultation and listen to people and take their views.

“This will be a very public, a very transparent process, but we must look at the sustainability of it.”

The consultation will be launched at a later date which is yet to be confirmed.