From today, all young people and children aged between 5 and 21 years old in Scotland can apply for their new national entitlement card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC to access free bus travel from the 31 January.

MSP Richard Lochhead has welcomed the opening of applications for free bus travel for young people in Scotland and is encouraging eligible youngsters to apply for the new scheme.

It builds on the Scottish Government’s commitment to providing free bus travel to all under-19’s in Scotland which started in August 2021.

The scheme will be delivered in partnership with Transport Scotland, the Improvement Service, the National Entitlement Card Programme Office (NECPO), Young Scot, local authorities and bus operators.

Commenting SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said: “Young people under the age of 22 in Moray can now apply for free bus travel. This scheme, delivered by the Scottish Government, will be a real boost to young people across Moray.

“This initiative will not only help tackle the climate emergency by encouraging more young people to use public transport, but will also take pressure off young people’s finances and make access to education, leisure, and work much easier. I know that for many in Moray travelling by bus can be expensive – so I really would encourage young people to apply for the new scheme so they can benefit from free travel.

“The SNP Scottish Government is once again making an investment in our young people’s future, supporting them to have the best possible start in life and creating the fairer, greener Scotland that we want to build.”