1288 children and young people in Orkney have signed up to the Scottish Government’s free bus travel scheme since its introduction for those under 22 years of age. Unfortunately these are also the lowest figures for the whole of Scotland.

Click on this link for more information and how to apply on : Young Person’s Free Bus Travel Scheme

You can also apply locally:

Orkney Islands

• Associated card number (First six digits): 633734
• Phone: 01856 873 535
• Email: customerservice@orkney.gov.uk
• Orkney Islands website

In figures released yesterday, 20th September, the Scottish Government revealed that – as of 12 September 2022 – a total of 483,931 children and young people across Scotland are cardholders under the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme and that a total of 21,723,100 journeys were made under the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme since its introduction.

Emma Roddick, SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands has welcomed the figures. She said:

“It is brilliant that so many children and young people in the Orkney Islands are already benefiting from the SNP Scottish Government’s free bus travel and I want to make sure that even more young people take advantage of this.

“This initiative is not only about helping our young people get about more often and more easily – whether that be local journeys or journeys right across Scotland – but it is also about embedding more sustainable travel behaviour from a young age which will support all of our efforts to tackle the climate emergency.

“It also is a key way of maintaining vital services in many areas, especially rural or outlying ones, and can provide help to people struggling with the cost of living crisis right now – by making travel affordable.”

Older and Disabled Free Bus Travel

If you are over 60 years old or disabled you may also be eligible for free bus travel.

If you’re under 22 and disabled you can choose between the Disabled Persons’ scheme or the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel scheme. Some local council areas provide discounted travel on rail, tram or subway with a Disabled Persons’ NEC, but you are likely to have to renew that card more often.

If you have a Disabled Companion card, which lets someone travel for free with you, then you should not change to the new scheme as it doesn’t allow anyone to travel with you for free.

Find out more on the Transport Scotland website now.

Below are the figures for each local authority in Scotland at 12 September 2022