A Falkirk MP has called on the Scottish Government to provide clear answers on when its promised £2 bus fare cap will be introduced.

Euan Stainbank initiated a letter signed by 14 other Labour MPs from across Scotland to Stephen Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport following confirmation from Prime Minister Andy Burnham that an England-wide £2 bus fare cap will be introduced from January 1, 2027.

The MPs’ letter comes after First Minister John Swinney pledged during the Scottish Parliament election campaign to introduce a £2 bus fare cap across Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire and Inverclyde within the first 100 days of an SNP government. That deadline falls on August 16.

The Labour MPs are asking the Scottish Government to answer two questions – whether the £2 cap will be in place across the areas named in the SNP’s election pledge by August 16; and whether the cap will be extended to every other Scottish local authority area by January 1, 2027 when the UK Government’s £2 cap takes effect across England.

Euan Stainbank is one of 14 Scottish Labour MPs questioning the Scottish Government on the £2 bus fare cap following Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge for it to be introduced across England next year.

placeholder image — Euan Stainbank is one of 14 Scottish Labour MPs questioning the Scottish Government on the £2 bus fare cap following Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge for it to be introduced across England next year.

Mr Stainbank said: “The Scottish Government needs to provide the people of Scotland with clear answers to two straightforward questions.

“First, will it deliver the First Minister’s promise to introduce a £2 bus fare cap across Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire and Inverclyde within the Government’s first 100 days?

“Secondly, will it ensure that people in Falkirk and every other part of Scotland also benefit from a £2 cap by January 1, 2027?

“The UK Government has now confirmed that bus fares across England will be capped at £2 from the beginning of 2027. People in Falkirk should not be left paying more because the Scottish Government has failed to confirm that it will match Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment. “Scottish ministers have expressed plenty of rhetorical enthusiasm for a £2 fare cap. It is now time for them to explain when passengers will see it introduced.”