Calls for people who cause trouble on board buses to have their bus passes suspended have been growing in recent months.
Anti-social behaviour on board public transport has caused anger and the death of Elgin bus driver Keith Rollinson following an assault in February exacerbated the problem.
A 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty to culpable homicide in relation to his death and parliament said it was ‘deeply grieved’ by the situation.
A motion from Labour MSP Claire Baker on tackling the abuse of bus drivers was put forward and Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop insisted the Government is exploring the legal means for suspending concessionary bus passes for people who behave badly.
Ms Baker pointed to the survey from Unite which found 84 percent of Scottish bus drivers have experienced an increased level of abuse over the last year, and branded it ‘never acceptable’.
Her motion supported the provision of free bus travel for those under 22 but also called on the Government to ‘remove access to concessionary bus passes from individuals who repeatedly carry out anti-social behaviour’.
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Minister backs proposal to strip free bus passes from anti-social passengers
Ms Hyslop confirmed the SNP government would support the motion and described the Unite survey as ‘concerning and suggested passengers would have to sign a code of conduct to receive their passes.
She said: “While much of the focus is on young people, I must stress that it is a very small minority who misuse the young persons’ free bus travel scheme.
“We are developing a behaviour code with the intention it will cover all concessionary bus passengers.
“We are examining the legal means to suspend concessionary passes for persistent anti-social behaviour of anyone of any age, as announced last December.”
Would you back bus passes being suspended for anyone who misbehaves on public transport? Have your say in our Herald poll and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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