Elected Member Briefing - Free bus travel

About this briefing note

Report by: Margaret Roy, Public Transport Team Leader

Date: 30 January 2023 

Subject: Free bus travel

Responsible Officer: Fraser Crofts, Head of Business and Resources -  Communities

Details

Purpose

This Briefing Note provides details of an additional day of free bus travel on 10 February 2023 and includes a final summary on the Free Bus Travel scheme that ran on December 10,17 and 24 2022 before Christmas. 

Briefing Information 

Perth and Kinross Council is offering free bus travel on Friday 10 February after more than 10,000 passengers took up the offer of free travel before Christmas. 

Working with local bus companies, Perth and Kinross Council offered passengers free bus travel on the three Saturdays before Christmas. Buses operated by Stagecoach East Scotland, Docherty's Midland Coaches, Elizabeth Yule, Earnside Coaches, Bay Travel and Sweeney's Garage all offered the free fares on December 10, 17 and 24. These local bus companies are now taking part in the additional day on free bus travel on February 10.  

Over the three weekends, a total of 10,048 passengers took advantage of the offer, saving a combined £23,186.25. December 10 was the busiest day, with 3,967 passengers enjoying free travel. There were 3,326 passengers on December 17 and 2,755 on Christmas Eve. 

This additional day of free bus travel on February 10 and the three Saturdays before Christmas in December is supported by Smarter Choices Smarter Places funding secured by the Council.