AN MSP has called for free bus travel for people under the age of 22 to be extended to include inter-island ferries.
The renewed calls for the expansion of free travel for young Scots follow recent data showing more than 460,000 bus journeys have been made by those issued with cards in the Shetland Islands Council area since the scheme began in 2022.
The SNP MSP for the Highlands & Islands, Emma Roddick, said the introduction of free inter-island ferries for under-22s would “only improve the lives of young folk” and that it would give them “greater freedom” across the islands.
Transport Scotland said earlier this year it would give “detailed consideration” to the proposal of extending the scheme to give free foot passenger travel on council ferries to Scottish island residents.
Some islanders have argued that internal ferries are in effect a bus and that the scheme should be expanded.
Although there has been no update on the proposal Roddick (below) told Shetland News that she is keen to still work with her colleagues on bringing the proposal into reality.
“We know how valuable free bus travel has been for young people, allowing them to travel for education, employment, or social opportunities without any financial barriers,” she said.
“We need to recognise that, for our island communities, inter-island ferries are a necessary part of daily life, just like buses are for others.”
