Transport Scotland - free bus travel for asylum seekers scheme: FOI release
- Published
- 20 July 2026
- Topic
- Public sector, Transport
- FOI reference
- FOI/202600506485
- Date received
- 13 February 2026
- Date responded
- 3 March 2026
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
Since the pilot began, how much has been spent so far on the free bus travel for asylum seekers scheme? Please provide as much detail as possible.
Response
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 03 March 2026, the Scottish Government has received reimbursement claims of £581,605.06 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.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG