Free bus travel for all could help bring new life to Scotland’s towns and cities – while also helping families with the cost-of-living crisis, Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay has said.
Ms Mackay insisted that making bus travel free “would make a real difference in people’s lives” and would also mean more money in their pockets.
She spoke out about the Scottish Greens’ flagship policy two days before voters go to the polls in Thursday’s Holyrood elections.
Ms Mackay said: “The Scottish Greens have already shown what can be done, from free bus travel for young people to scrapping peak rail fares and capping bus fares.
“Now we want to go further and make buses free for everyone in Scotland.”
She added: “Free bus travel is already working across Europe. Scotland can show the same ambition by voting Scottish Green on May 7, to build a cleaner, greener and more connected Scotland.”
Stressing that public transport should be available to everyone, Ms Mackay insisted: “Nobody should be cut off from work, education, healthcare, family or their local high street because they cannot afford the bus.”
Every vote for the Scottish Greens on May 7th is a vote for:
🚌 Free bus travel for all👶 Free childcare for every child over 6 months💵 Action to cut our bills by investing in Scotland's huge renewable potential.
Let's demand better. pic.twitter.com/iR0x3xVR45
— Scottish Greens (@scottishgreens) May 2, 2026
The Green continued: “Free bus travel would make a real difference in people’s lives. It would mean more money in people’s pockets.
“For people who rely on buses, this is not a small change. It can be the difference between staying at home or getting to the GP or visiting friends and family.
“When buses are too expensive, people are either stuck at home or forced into cars. That means more congestion, more pollution and more money being drained away from local economies through fuel, insurance and repairs.
“If we want our high streets to be thriving instead of surviving, people need affordable and reliable ways to get into those town centres, support the local businesses, so they can spend time with those communities.
“Free buses would help bring that life back into our towns and cities, while cutting the cost of living when it’s needed most.”