Meeting of the Parliament 11 March 2026 [Draft]
As members know, buses are central to Scotland’s transport network. Although most passengers just want to get on with their journey, it is clear to bus operators and other passengers that antisocial behaviour on our buses has been a growing problem for the past number of years. A small minority of disruptive passengers, whether they are aged under 22 or older, disrupt buses, commit verbal and physical assaults and put the safety of passengers and drivers at risk.
We all remember the tragic death of Keith Rollinson in February 2024. However, only a few weeks ago, the First Minister was unable to answer whether Rollinson’s killer would have had his bus pass removed under the Scottish statutory instrument that we are voting on tonight.
The Scottish Conservatives will support the SSI. However, although it is a step in the right direction, we believe that it does not go far enough. The fact that the minister, Jim Fairlie, had to appear before the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee twice to get the SSI passed demonstrates that.
Furthermore, the SNP’s plan to remove free bus travel from passengers who commit antisocial behaviour on buses is soft touch and full of loopholes, and it does not guarantee that criminals will have their bus passes removed.