Scrapping night buses will hit people on low incomes hardest

Policy & Campaigns Manager Ruth Boyle on BBC Reporting Scotland and BBC Good Morning Scotland

Reacting to news that First Glasgow is to scrap all night buses from 31 July, Poverty Alliance Director Peter Kelly said: “This announcement is completely unjust and will hit Glaswegians on low incomes the hardest – people who work nightshifts and early shifts in the kind of jobs that are already undervalued.

“This is another example of our vital bus networks being run by companies who put profit over public service. These companies get around 55% of their income direct from the public purse, and a huge chunk of the rest from the pockets of people on the lowest incomes, who are struggling the most during the costs crisis. These services should be accountable to those who rely on them most.

“It doesn’t have to be like this. The Scottish Government can fund free bus travel for people who need it most – and get everyone aboard on the road to a freer, fairer, greener Scotland.

“And – to get the most impact from that social investment – they can properly fund and and support local councils and community transport providers to use the powers of the Transport Act, so they can run their own bus services and return to treating buses as a basic public good.”