Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP demanded the First Minister ensure that bus passengers don’t pay the price for the SNP’s inadequate funding for concessionary travel scheme.

Mrs McInnes made the call after the issue was raised at First Minister’s Questions today.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said:

“The Scottish Government’s concessionary fares reimbursement budget for the next three years is widely acknowledged to be inadequate to cover operator claims. Concessionary travel reimbursement is a benefit to passengers, not the bus industry. The First Minister must ensure that passengers do not suffer a poorer service because of the budget squeeze.

“As the budget stands, from next year operators will be providing concessionary travel but they are unlikely to receive full reimbursement. The most likely consequence of this is further fares increases for paying passengers.”