MORE than six in 10 holders of Scotland’s free bus passes for over-60s and disabled people use their private car less often, a Transport Scotland-commissioned survey has found.

The independent evaluation of Scotland’s National Concessionary Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People gathered views from more than 2,500 concessionary travel cardholders.

More than four in five reported using the bus more because of the scheme, with respondents identifying service availability and quality as key factors influencing how often they travel by bus. 

Overall 94 per cent of respondents said they were either very or fairly satisfied, while 93 per cent agreed the scheme had saved them money over the last 12 months.

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn said: “As we continue to improve bus services, these findings reinforce the importance of ensuring everyone can access reliable, affordable and accessible public transport, regardless of age, disability or where they live.”