Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 28 March 2018
28 Mar 2018 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Bus Services
I should probably declare that I have had a bus pass since last summer and I have saved somewhere in the region of £150 since then. I generally prefer to use public transport if it is practical. Quite apart from the obvious environmental benefits, using the bus or train lets me do many important things, such as reading committee papers for coming here or engaging in profound conversations on Twitter.
I find myself very much in agreement with the thrust of the motion. We all want affordable fares, a strong network of routes and reliable services. However, it has to be said that if we are to go beyond that to get cheaper fares, more routes and more reliable services, an additional cost will certainly be involved. Although I am open to either franchising or public ownership, neither comes without its problems and costs.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-11289, in the name of John Finnie, on better buses. 14:41
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
Here is a bit of background to the debate: in 1984, the United Kingdom Government published a white paper entitled “Buses”—good title. That resulted in the T...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Mr Finnie is in his last half minute.
John Finnie
Green
Making this work will require clear ambition. It is fair to say that the solution will be different in different parts of the country. All of that can be acc...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Humza Yousaf to speak to and move amendment S5M-11289.2. 14:49
The Minister for Transport and the Islands (Humza Yousaf)
SNP
I welcome this important debate, which brings a focus to one of the key modes in our sustainable transport mix. Given that 75 to 80 per cent of all public tr...
John Finnie
Green
Will the minister acknowledge that I said that, although there would be a target, it could be applied differently in different areas? In the central belt, th...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
I recognise the latter point. On the member’s first point, I hope that my amendment improves on his motion, because it makes it more explicit and clear that ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Jamie Greene to speak to and move amendment S5M-11289.3. 14:55
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I will attempt to use my tablet but, the last time I did that, the battery ran out halfway through my speech, so bear with me i...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
Does the member feel that the issue of how many people use the buses is entirely within Government control, or does he feel that there are other factors?
Jamie Greene
Con
It is not entirely within Government control. Clearly, there are various reasons why people may or may not use a service. Does it take them from where they a...
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the Scottish Greens for bringing this important issue to the chamber. The need for real change in Scotland’s buses is clear for everyone to see. Muc...
Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (LD)
LD
I thank John Finnie and the Green Party for raising the issue of better buses. Like the Greens, the Liberal Democrats believe that reversing the decline in b...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
That is twice today.
Mike Rumbles
LD
I am coming to that. Do not get a heart attack. However—there is always a “however”—I want to use this debate to highlight the important issue of ensuring t...
Jamie Greene
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Mike Rumbles
LD
I am in my final minute. I would take an intervention if I had more time, but I cannot do so, unfortunately. I am getting a nod from the Presiding Officer. ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the open debate. We are very pushed for time, so I ask members to stick strictly to four minutes, please. I am sorry, Mr Ruskell—you have five mi...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
Thank you, Presiding Officer. We can all agree that bus services make a big contribution to the economic, environmental and social sustainability of our tow...
Liam Kerr
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
You are in your final minute, Mr Ruskell; it is your choice.
Mark Ruskell
Green
I am very tight for time—oh, go on then. Why not?
Liam Kerr
Con
I will be brief. The member is making an important point, but nowhere in the Green Party motion is there a reference to anything to do with the environment. ...
Mark Ruskell
Green
The environment is integral to what constitutes a quality public service. That is the point that I am trying to make. Environmental quality is hugely importa...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call John Mason, to be followed by Peter Chapman. You have a strict four minutes, Mr Mason. 15:15
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
I should probably declare that I have had a bus pass since last summer and I have saved somewhere in the region of £150 since then. I generally prefer to use...
John Finnie
Green
Politics is about priorities. If our priority is to spend £6 billion on two roads, we will not have money for public transport.
John Mason
SNP
I accept that politics is about priorities, but if we put more money into buses and public transport, there will be less money somewhere else. As I said, al...