Christmas shoppers will be able to travel free on Perth and Kinross buses on Saturday, December 10, 17 and 24.
The free travel scheme will run all day on the three Saturdays before Christmas and apply to local bus services operating within Perth and Kinross.
Perth and Kinross Council's Depute Provost Andrew Parrott announced the scheme at a meeting this week.
The SNP councillor convenes PKC's Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee.
Opening the meeting on Wednesday, November 16, Depute Provost Parrott said: "As a result of working with local bus companies I am delighted to announce the council will offer free bus travel on all local services in Perth and Kinross for journeys undertaken within the local authority area on Saturdays 10, 17 and 24 December."
He added: "This provides support with the cost of living crisis and boosts footfall for local businesses.
"It should also encourage many people to leave their car at home and travel free on the bus which benefits the environment."
Last year both the SNP and Labour opposed the previous Conservative administration's policy on free festive parking but were outvoted.
This year the committee - while not asked to vote on the matter - appeared to be broadly supportive of free bus travel for local Christmas shoppers. There will be no free festive parking.
However previous convener Conservative councillor Angus Forbes did raise concern about the availability of bus services.
The Carse of Gowrie councillor said: "I was just wondering about the availability of bus drivers and bus services. There is a real shortage of buses and drivers at the moment. My concern is someone gets themselves into Perth, does a pile of shopping and then can't get home again.
"Have you had any discussion with Stagecoach or other operators about this?"
Depute Provost Parrott said: "I share your concern about the bus services at the moment. This is a direction we want to move in and we've had assurances that the bus companies will do their utmost to run the best service possible that they can on these particular Saturdays but beyond that we are unable to go."
Conservative councillor Keith Allan asked if it would include evenings too "so as restaurants and pubs can take benefit as well".
This was confirmed.
Passengers travelling on buses operated by Stagecoach East Scotland, Docherty’s Midland Coaches, Elizabeth Yule, Earnside Coaches and Bay Travel on December 10, 17 and 24 will be able to travel free of charge. Passengers who have a free U22, 60+ or disabled concessionary bus pass should use their pass as normal to travel.
The scheme does not include services operated by Scottish Citylink, Ember, Flix, Parks of Hamilton, Megabus and Fisher Tours.
Liberal Democrat Bailie Claire McLaren said: "This - I view - is a wonderful initiative and a great incentive for all within Perth and Kinross to be able to travel into the centre of Perth and partake of all the atmosphere that might be happening at that time of year."
Labour's Bailie Alasdair Bailey said: "This is fantastic news for businesses in our city who will benefit from the increased footfall driven by free bus travel. Not only that but I welcome the fact that the council will not be giving away free car parking as it has done in previous years which incentivises more cars in our city. Hopefully this is a sign that our council is finally turning the corner and waking up to what addressing the climate emergency really means!"
Climate Change and Sustainability convener councillor Richard Watters said: "It would have been very easy to just do Perth City with this but to do the whole of Perth and Kinross allows people in the settlements outwith the city to benefit from the scheme as well."
