Concessionary travel cards and antisocial behaviour: FOI release

Information requested

All documentation held by Transport Scotland, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about John Swinney's vow to remove free bus entitlement from under-22s if they misbehave, as stated here:https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/bus-passes-removed-scots-youngsters-35153169 between May 1 2025 and July 1 2025.

Response

We carried out specific searches of documentation containing the words “remove” and “misbehave”. We found no results within the time period requested.

While we do not have any returns on your specific searches, we understand that you are seeking information on what work Transport Scotland is 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 25th February 2025 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.

About FOI

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