To ask the Scottish Government how many journeys in Glasgow have been taken by under-22s using a free bus pass in the last year. (S6O-03868)

In the 12 months to 30 September 2024, 10,657,077 bus journeys were made by children and young people for free using a card issued in the Glasgow City Council region.

I thank the minister for that very positive response. Does he agree that the scheme has been hugely successful in making bus travel more attractive to people at a younger age, with the accompanying benefit of opening up social, education, employment and leisure opportunities that younger people might not have had access to?

I completely agree with the points that James Dornan has made. This is a truly transformational policy that is opening up opportunities for young people right across Scotland to leisure, learning, work, social activities and family connections that would not otherwise be available to them.

Since January 2022, more than 170 million free bus journeys have been made under the young persons scheme, and more than 772,000 cardholders have now signed up. This landmark policy is helping young people and families with children to cut costs every day in leisure and travel, while at the same time helping to protect our climate.