A NATIONWIDE £2 bus cap must be implemented "immediately" to help families manage rising fuel prices – the Scottish Greens have said.
On Monday, it was revealed that diesel prices in the UK had hit an all-time high, with the cost per litre exceeding £2 in some parts of Scotland.
Scottish Greens spokesperson for Transport, Patrick Harvie MSP, said action was needed to make public transport an affordable alternative to car travel.
He said: "Now more than ever, it's important to have a reliable and cheap public transport system to connect our communities to jobs, hospitals, education and leisure because leaving people dependent on private car travel is just too high a price for many households in Scotland.
“Those on the lowest incomes already struggle to choose between putting food on the table and heating their homes, and the price of keeping a car is pushing many households beyond their budget."
Harvie went on to reference the existing cap in Strathclyde and the Highlands and Islands but said the Scottish Government "must go further".
While the £2 cap is expected to be rolled out across Scotland before the end of this parliament, it is not clear when many parts of the country will see the change.
"We need a nationwide £2 bus fare cap to immediately help households cut their day-to-day spending.
"We know that making public transport cheaper is beneficial for both people and planet. The Scottish Greens secured free bus travel for young people, ensuring millions of free journeys are taken every year to schools, college, work, or to meet friends.
"We also scrapped the peak-rail fares on ScotRail, ensuring commuters no longer had to pay an unfair tax on getting to work. It's time to bring in the £2 bus fare cap nationwide," Harvie added.
With diesel prices continuing to rise and bus operators facing higher running costs, it is not clear how much a nationwide bus fare cap would ultimately cost the Scottish Government to fund.
