STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

MINISTERS will consider a request form a Glasgow MSP to look at extending child fares to 16 and 17 year olds on all public transport.

Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP, said it is unfair that on their 16th birthday young people have to pay full fare on buses and trains regardless of income.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said there was a number of discount schemes through Young Scot, but it was worth considering as a part of a transport review.

Ms McNeill said people in that age group were less likely to be in work than 18 to 21 year-olds and apprentices earn less than other young workers as well as the minimum wage being less.

She pointed out that some discount schemes o are only valid off peak and some have a minimum spend attached.

She raised a report by the Scottish Government’s Poverty Adviser, Naomi Eisenstadt, who said more resources need to be focused on the late teenage group from 14 to 19 year-olds.

Ms McNeill said: “It is unfair with regard to the independence of 16-year-olds that, on their 16th birthday, they begin to pay the full fare on all public transport.

She said: “I think that it is time to focus on a transport policy for young people up to the age of 18 that will enhance their independence. The Government needs to go further if it wants those young people to see that there is something in Government policy for them.”

Mr Yousaf said he had also been approached by the Scottish Youth Parliament on the issue and said he would give it further consideration.

He listed the various schemes which offer up to one third off fares in some cases and also said the government will also be providing three months’ free bus travel for recipients of the job grant aged between 16 and 24 once that benefit comes into force

He said: “We are going through the process of the national transport strategy review at the moment and I think that it would be a wise move for us to look at what Pauline McNeill describes as a potential inequality.”