EXTENDING free bus travel to all under-30s in next month’s Holyrood Budget could benefit 500,000 people, according to the Scottish Greens yesterday.

Since 2006, the over-60s have enjoyed free bus travel in Scotland, an entitlement expanded to include under-22s in 2021 as part of the Greens’ coalition deal with the SNP.

Setting out his party’s stall for negotiation ahead of the Budget on January 13, Green MSP Mark Ruskell called for its extension to all under-30s, arguing: “Too many young workers are trapped in a cycle of soaring living costs and insecure work, and the last thing they should have to worry about is if they can afford the cost of their commute.

“This expansion would give half a million more young people free bus travel in Scotland.

“Cheap public transport is a win-win for people and planet, and our project must be expanded to ensure that more people can choose to commute in a way that saves money and cuts congestion.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “Ministers are committed to building as broad support as possible across Parliament in order to deliver the forthcoming Budget.”