Hansard

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...