Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has raised concerns over the long-term sustainability of concessionary bus passes, according to The Scotsman.
The minister made the comments ahead of the results of a wide-ranging consultation on raising the age of eligibility. He said it was important to find a balance with the scheme and ensuring affordability, due to Scotland’s ageing population.
Humza added: “We know that we have an ageing population, an ageing demographic – as most of western Europe does – and therefore we have to find a balance between making this scheme fair, realising the benefits of it, and making it sustainable in the long term.
“That’s why we’ve had the consultation. We do have to look at that sustainability.”
Speaking in front of a Holyrood committee, Humza said there had been 3,000 responses to the Scottish Government’s call for views. Scottish Labour insisted it would fight cuts to bus passes.
