Transport Scotland - Cost and usage of asylum seeker bus passes: FOI release

Information requested

1. How much the asylum seekers bus passes scheme has cost since its implementation.Please state what these costs are in each year (e.g. reimbursement for bus companies, cost of implementing policy etc.

2. How many times an asylum seeker bus pass has been used if that information is available.

Response

1. The Programme for Government set out that we would deliver a £2 million national pilot to support free bus travel for all people seeking asylum. This pilot launched on 1 December 2025 and will run until 31 March 2026, or earlier if funding is fully utilised.As of 10 February 2026, the Scottish Government has received reimbursement claims of £347,997.78 from bus operators for the costs of carrying passengers. This cost includes a combination of payments made to bus operators and outstanding claims.

The translation of the application form, guidance form, script, and applicant letter into 10 languages cost a total of £1,636.57.

We have also agreed to pay up to £27,592.00 to Glasgow City Council for costs associated with the processing and administration of the free bus travel pilot for those eligible people residing in Glasgow, where the majority of people seeking asylum in Scotland are located.

2. As of 10 February 2026, 119,059 journeys have been made by people seeking asylum.

About FOI

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