THE Scottish Greens pledged today to bring buses into public ownership and offer free bus travel to all.

Proposing to finance the move through the issue of Scottish bus bonds, the party argues the policies would not only end decades of private profiteering and service cuts, but also help tackle both the cost-of-living and climate crises.

Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer said: “Scotland’s bus network has been treated as a cash cow by private owners, while passengers are left dealing with unreliable services, shrinking timetables and rising fares.

“The Scottish Greens will end that scandal and put passengers first through public ownership.

“Our fragmented and often unreliable bus services are geared towards raking in money from passengers, councils and government and handing it to company directors and shareholders.

“Providing a good service often comes a distant second.

“Too many workers are struggling to afford their commute and whole communities are being left stranded while private bus companies hike fares, slash routes and put profit before people.

“Other parties have just accepted this broken transport system, but the Scottish Greens are demanding better.”