Chamber and committees

The application process, card renewals, card replacements and all other cardholder management are the responsibility of the Improvement Service for online applications and of individual local councils for all other applications. All local councils have been given the option of coordinating applications through schools on behalf of their pupils with the necessary information having been provided to them by the Improvement Service late last year.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05885 on 7 February 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Up to 930,000 young people will be eligible to travel for free under the scheme and we are absolutely determined to ensure that everyone who is eligible for and wants a free bus pass gets one. I appreciate that we still have a long way to go to reach all 930,000 eligible young people but now that covid restrictions are easing, we are encouraging all young people and parents to apply for their cards. To assist with take up, we plan to launch an extensive marketing campaign in the coming weeks.

New cards are required to access the scheme as previously issued cards will not have the necessary digital travel product encoded on them. This is needed so that bus journeys under the scheme can be recorded so that the Scottish Government can accurately reimburse operators for the fare. New cards allow for differentiation between journeys made under 16 year olds and over 16 year olds, which are reimbursed at different rates. They also implement the parental or guardian approval requirements that are in place for 5-15 year olds to access the scheme.

As we move into a different phase of the pandemic, we are looking to actively encourage everyone who is eligible to apply and will be launching a national marketing campaign in the coming weeks.

When the application process for travel cards was launched we asked that only those with an essential need to travel by bus apply. It was for individuals to decide whether their journeys were essential in the light of Scottish Government and Transport Scotland guidance. With restrictions now easing, we are now in a position to encourage all young people to apply.

We initially asked that only those with an essential need to travel by bus should apply due to the high rates of COVID-19 cases. This was intended to help minimise pressure on local councils, also impacted by the current situation with the pandemic, which are responsible for processing applications and responding to enquiries. With restrictions now easing, we are now in a position to encourage all young people to apply.

The Scottish Government believes that listening to as broad a range as possible of people affected by these practices will help us to understand what support and action may be needed.

That is why we published a dedicated webpage and questionnaire on 26 January, to invite views from women and families affected by historical adoption practices, who may also wish to take the opportunity to shape next steps. The information we receive will help us to continue to explore how those affected can best be supported with a view to continuing a collaborative approach as we progress with this matter.

We have also introduced a dedicated helpline in collaboration with Health in Mind for individuals who would like to be supported to make their contribution.

Abellio ScotRail Ltd. made the Chief Operating Officer appointment, using an open and fair recruitment process. Questions concerning this process should be addressed to Abellio ScotRail Ltd.

The Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway is an employee of Network Rail, which is owned by the UK Government. His salary may be found in line 175 of the ‘Senior Officials high earners salaries as at 30 September 2020’ spreadsheet contained in the HM Government website and can be accessed via the following link:-

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/senior-officials-high-earners-salaries