Documentation held by Transport Scotland regarding revoking bus passes: FOI release

Information requested

Part One
Could you supply all documentation held by Transport Scotland, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings, analysis and minutes/notes from meetings, about revoking bus passes from under-22s due to bad behaviour, from the last month?

Part Two
How many have had their bus passes revoked so far?

Response

Part One

We carried out specific searches of documentation containing the words “revoke”, “under 22s”, “bus” and “bad behaviour”. We found no results within the time period requested.

While we do not have any returns on your specific searches, we understand that you require information on what work we are doing to address anti-social behaviour on buses.

The First Minister set out the Programme for Government on 6th May 2025. This includes the commitment to suspend use of concessionary travel cards on a temporary and potentially permanent basis as a result of antisocial behaviour when using the card. Detailed work on the best mechanism for achieving this is underway, including robust impact assessments, the development of a behaviour code and what future legislation will be required.

As people of all ages can engage in unacceptable behaviour on buses, this policy is intended to apply to both the Young Persons Scheme and the Older and Disabled Persons Scheme. The development of a behaviour code is part of this process to enable a consistent and robust set of principles to be established to facilitate the decision-making process and ensure fairness. The groups with eligibility for concessionary bus travel - older people, young people and those with disabilities - are vulnerable groups and the Scottish Government must be satisfied that the impacts of this policy have been considered.

More widely, Transport Scotland is working closely with the Confederation for Passenger Transport, bus operators, Police Scotland, ATCO and Unions on antisocial behaviour. This includes sharing of best practice between operators, understanding implementation of Unite’s 15-point plan, exploring opportunities to improve education, and developing options for on the ground support to bus operators.

You may also be interested to know that the Scottish Government commissioned an independent working group to undertake an in-depth review of antisocial behaviour looking for a sustainable approach to preventing and tackling antisocial behaviour including improved support for victims. This was published on Tuesday 25th February and is available at Report of the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour. The review findings include some of the issues that you have mentioned. The Scottish Government is considering the findings and will respond in due course continuing to focus on supporting local community.

Part Two

In response to part two of your request, we can confirm that no cards have been revoked due to bad behaviour so far.

About FOI

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